From the Pastor:
THE PSALMS Life Lessons for Believers
Summer is now here! We are back in the sanctuary of our Lord together once again with all praises to our God. We cried out to our God and He heard our prayers. We prayed that He would place in some Christian medical scientist the knowledge to create a vaccine for this virus and we thank Him for remembering us and answering our prayers. O, what a mighty God we serve! Thank You, Abba, Father for hearing us and answering our prayers. We also thank You for comforting us and giving us Your peace as we said goodbye to those You called home. We know You always keep Your promises and we shall meet them again.
Our study in Series 35 lessons bring us to the Psalms. The book of Psalms is a book of prayer, every conceivable type of prayer: prayers of worship and praise, confession and acknowledgment, intercession and supplication, protection and deliverance, vindication and forgiveness, renewal and restoration, reward and thanksgiving. There are prayer psalms offered up in times of spiritual darkness and challenge, when God appears to be silent or when all that is left to do is wait on Him. Many prayers in the Psalms look back on God’s deliverance and give hope and confidence in God’s sovereignty for everything that awaits us.
The Psalms – Life Lessons for Believers will help us in our spiritual growth and daily walk with Jesus our Lord. The Holy Spirit will teach us through those He will empower to deliver the taught Word. Be encouraged; there is much to learn and share. We ask our Lord to build us up to be better witnesses for Him in this world that seems to have turned for the worse. But we know God has everything under control. If you have not accepted the free gift of salvation, please do so now. Our Lord is at the door of your heart and is knocking. Let Him in. It is indeed a matter of eternal life or eternal separation.
Your Pastor,
Greg Oliver, Sr.
Volume VI No. 3
The Psalms Life Lessons for Believers
Mount Canaan Sunday School Series 35
Third Quarter July, August, September 2021
How to be Happy and Blessed in Life – Meditate on His Word ...... 1
How to be Happy and Blessed in Life (Continued) – Meditate on His Word ...... 6
The Lord’s Plan for the Human Race – When We Ask, “Why?” ...... 12
How to be Victorious over Stress and Enemies – God Is My Shield ...... 19
How To Get Relief From Adverse Circumstances – Finding Peace in Time of Trouble ...... 25
How to Deal with Lies and Slander – Turn to the Lord for Help ...... 31
How to Pray for Healing ...... 36
How to be Delivered from Evil Pursuers – Take Refuge in the Lord ...... 41
Honoring God the Creator – O Lord How Excellent!!!...... 48
Praise the Lord for His Triumph Over All Who Trouble You ...... 54
How to Deal with God’s Silence and Delayed Justice -- Have Faith in God ...... 60
How to Survive When Society’s Foundations Crumble – Trust in the Lord ...... 66
How to Be Secure in a Godless and Deceptive Age -- Cry Out to the Lord for Help ...... 71
July Week 1 How to be Happy and Blessed in Life Meditate on His Word
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Lesson Aim: To delight in and meditate on the Word of God.
The United States’ Declaration of Independence proclaims that God has endowed all men with the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Sadly, the pursuit of happiness is the futile quest of far too many of us. We squander our precious time and resources, make poor choices, and often ruin our lives—and others’ lives—searching for the treasure of happiness in all the wrong places.
Where can happiness be found? The simple yet powerful truth of God’s Word is that true happiness is a gift of God, one of His very special blessings. This wonderful gift is ours if we are rightly related to Him and if we walk in obedience to His commands.
Some Bible commentators believe that this psalm was purposely written as the introduction to the entire inspired collection. Note the following about this hymn of instruction: • It teaches us how to experience God’s blessing. • It emphasizes God’s Word—His holy law (torah). • It paints a picture of two men who follow sharply different ways of life, men with distinctly different futures.
Psalm 1 is the major passageway into the rest of the psalms. At the very beginning of Psalms, the Jewish hymnal, a vital truth is proclaimed: we can only truly worship God if we have chosen to walk in His way and in the light of His Word.
The Holy Scripture is central to all worship. God has revealed Himself, His glorious plan of salvation, and His will for every one of us in His inspired Word. Only if we delight in His Holy Word (law) can we truly enter His presence. Only if we have chosen the path of righteousness can we have an audience with Him. Only if we meditate on His Word can we fully understand the ways of God and worship Him in truth. Anyone can be inspired and comforted by reading the psalms, but we can only experience an intimate relationship with Him if we love Him and obey His life-giving instruction (John 14:21; 15:10, 14). Such a relationship gives us the liberty to pour out our hearts to God.
Before entering fully into the psalms, we must stop at the door of Psalm 1 and make a decision to… • walk in the Lord’s way • delight in His Word • meditate on His Word
Only then can we be gloriously blessed in the presence of the Lord. This is, How to Be Happy and Blessed in Life, 1:1-6.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 1 Separate from the wicked. This beloved, oft-memorized psalm teaches us how to meet one of the most urgent needs of our lives: how to be happy and blessed. Note that the Hebrew word for blessed (esher) is plural. It means many happinesses; abounding in blessing; experiencing the full measure of joy, peace, and prosperity with nothing withheld.
Who would not want to live in the realm of the blessed? What must we do in order to receive this favor and dwell in this state? First, we must not associate with ungodly people.
Three postures are described in this verse: walking, standing, and sitting. These different terms are used as poetic language, and together they represent the overall life choices and activities—the day-to-day lifestyle—of the blessed individual. At the same time, each expression relates to the specific type of vile person who is to be avoided.
Blessed: the best synonym the English language offers for this Hebrew word (esher) is the word happy. Yet happy falls short of beginning to express all that is contained in what it truly means to be blessed. Being blessed means…
joy satisfaction calmness contentment peace fulfillment assurance protection provision prosperity
Blessed is both an inward and outward state: we enjoy this happiness in our spirits, and also in our relationships with others. It is a joy, peace, and assurance that transcends circumstances. “Even when the righteous do not feel happy, they are still considered ‘blessed’ from God’s perspective.”
This blessing is a gift from God. It is the result of His approval, acceptance, and favor upon an obedient believer’s life. This gift, however, is conditionally received. While God’s favor is always undeserved due to our sinfulness, this blessing is the result of some action on our part. Throughout Psalms we are said to be blessed because we… • do not associate with the ungodly (1:1) • trust in the LORD (2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12) • confess and receive God’s forgiveness for sin (32:1-2) • live in a nation that worships the LORD (33:12) • are the descendants of the righteous (37:26) • are generous to the poor (41:1-2) • dwell in God’s house (65:4; 84:4) • find our strength in the LORD (84:5) • are chastened by the LORD (94:12) • maintain justice and live righteously (106:3) • fear the LORD (112:1; 128:1, 4) • are undefiled and keep God’s law (119:1-2) a. Their counsel (v. 1).
God’s blessing will be ours when we do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Note the significant words in this statement:
• Walk (halak) is most frequently translated as go in the Old Testament. It refers to our natural activity or movement. As used here, it applies to our behavior in daily life.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 2 • Counsel (etsah) generally means advice or guidance. However, it sometimes refers to purposes, plans, or schemes. • Ungodly (rasha) is usually translated as wicked. It is the opposite of righteous, and speaks of a person who is guilty of wrongdoing and stands condemned before God. One Bible scholar, H.C. Leupold, notes that its root means loose, and it refers to those who have loosed themselves from God and have fallen into evil. In this context it is accurately understood as people who have cast off the restraints of God’s Holy Word. They have chosen to live according to their own sinful purposes rather than God’s righteous commands. b. Their sinful way (v. 1).
Way (derek) is the road or path we choose to travel. According to Scripture, only two ways exist in life: the way of righteousness that leads to life and the way of wickedness that leads to death and ends in destruction. There is no middle road (Matthew 7:13-14).
Sinners refers to those who are guilty before God because they disobey God. They miss the mark defined in God’s Word. The distinction between the ungodly or wicked person of the first statement and the sinner of this statement: the wicked person is without God and is uninfluenced by Him. The sinner, however, rebelliously lives outside of God’s limits and willfully transgresses against God’s law.
This path of disobedience to God’s commands is the way of those who do not have a relationship with God. Its end is death and eternal separation from God in hell. If we truly desire to be blessed by God, we do not stand in this sinful way of the wicked, much less travel it. As true followers of the Lord, we have chosen the way of life over the road that leads to destruction. We are no longer traveling the foolish way of transgression against God. However, it is possible for us to stand in that road, or to return for a visit to the way of sinners. If we return, we backslide and forfeit God’s blessing upon our lives. In making that choice, we willfully depart from the blessed state of joy, peace, and contentment. The result: we will painfully experience God’s loving but firm hand of discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11).
The way of sinners is the exact opposite of the blessed life. Those who live sinful lives do not know lasting joy, satisfaction, or contentment. They never experience the deep-seated and lasting peace that God alone can give. Instead, their experience is a continuous flow of unsettling conflicts with others. As a result, they are plagued with guilt because of their transgressions and the hurt they bring to those who love them. They are selfish, and their sin often leads them to an isolated, lonely life that is cut off from others. Habitual sinners are prone to turn to substances—drugs and alcohol—to numb their nagging consciences and ease their pain. c. Their mockery (v. 1). Scorners mock everything that is holy. They have no respect for God and His Word. The Hebrew verb form of this word literally means to make mouths at. Through continued rejection of God’s Word, they have become hardened toward sin and toward God. The scorner (luwts) is thoroughly discussed in Proverbs.
Scorners are marked by their pride (Proverbs 3:34; 21:24). They elevate themselves above God and others, and they defiantly disobey God’s commands. Note that the scorner is portrayed here as sitting. Picture the scorner arrogantly perched on his self-appointed throne, contemptuously sneering at God and jeering at all who walk in the path of righteousness. He haughtily looks down on those with a lifestyle that shuns sin and revolves around God’s instruction. He exists to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). If we desire to be blessed, we will not sit in his seat: we will not
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 3 act arrogantly before God or others. We will not disregard God’s holy commands. Instead, we will guard ourselves from being influenced by those who live in mockery of God’s Word.
In conclusion, Psalm 1:1 charts the path that can lead us away from God and into a life of sin. It begins with considering ungodly advice. Then it progresses to following the ways of sinners. It culminates in adopting the attitude of those who live in proud, persistent rebellion against God’s Holy Word.
It is significant that all the verbs in these statements are in the Hebrew perfect tense. This indicates that those who are blessed have made a once-and-for-all commitment to live in obedience to God, a commitment that guides them the rest of their lives. The journey of righteousness is walked day by day in the power of God’s Spirit. But it is their settled commitment to God that holds them faithful in all things. This complete presentation of oneself to God as a living sacrifice prevents straying onto the way of sinners (Romans 12:1). Faithful devotion to this commitment results in God’s glorious favor and blessing upon us.
Psalm 1:1 is a verse that calls for a decision: Will you fully dedicate yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ? Will you make a commitment to walk in obedience to Him, to obey His Word and will for your life? Paul’s passionate plea in Romans 12:1-2 challenges us all: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).
This presentation of ourselves to Christ—laying all that we are and have upon the altar of sacrifice to Him—includes the commitment to live separately from sinners, to pledge…
✓ that we will refuse to listen to worldly advice. We are surrounded by ungodly counsel. Writers, self-proclaimed experts, television hosts, worldly family and friends, and a host of others—many throughout society beckon us to live contrary to God’s Word. If we will be blessed, we must first know what God says in His Word, the Holy Bible. We must then reject all advice that is in disagreement with God’s Word, and we must trust Him enough to choose His counsel over the counsel of others. ✓ that we will never depart from the path of obedience to God’s righteous commands. We all face daily temptations to sin. The desires of our sinful nature stir us to disobey God’s holy commands. The world presents repeated opportunities to indulge our flesh. If we will be blessed, we must adhere to God’s Word. We must refuse to stray from the path of obedience—refuse to even stand, much less walk, in the sinful way. ✓ that we will guard ourselves against the tireless efforts of scorners to influence us to question God’s Word. In many countries, the teaching of God’s Word vanished decades and even centuries ago. Within every nation, believers are pressured to accept immorality, dishonesty, injustice, and sinful living. Scorners of God’s Word beckon believers to be tolerant of sin. However, if we, as believers, want God’s blessings, we must stand strong on the truths of God’s Word. We must stand for what is right, even when we can no longer successfully overcome evil influences (Ephesians 6:13-14). We forfeit God’s blessing when we succumb to the pressure of those who mock God’s holy commands.
The once-and-for-all decision to present ourselves fully to Christ enables us to know what to do in the daily decisions we face. Our choices are clarified in the light of our total surrender to Him. Our commitment to Him will guide us through every step of life and will help us to obey Him and His will. This is the key to the blessed life, a life that results in God’s joyous favor.
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In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
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July Week 2 How to be Happy and Blessed in Life (Continued) Meditate on His Word
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:3 (NKJV)
Lesson Aim: To delight in and meditate on the Word of God.
God doesn't judge people on the basis of race, sex, or national origin. He judges them on the basis of their faith in Him and their response to His revealed will. Those who diligently try to obey God's will are blessed. They are like healthy, fruit-bearing trees planted along a riverbank with strong roots (Jeremiah 17:7, 8), and God promises to watch over them. God's wisdom guides their lives. In contrast, those who don't trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like dust. Only two paths of life lay before us—God's way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction. Be sure to choose God's path because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity.
Be devoted to God’s Word. Instead of following ungodly advice, the blessed person heeds the counsel of God’s inspired Word. We must be guided by the light and wisdom of Scripture if we wish to enjoy a life filled with peace, happiness, and hope. a. Love it and take great delight in it (v. 2) A delight (chephets) is something that we desire and enjoy. It speaks here of an emotional involvement with God’s Word. The law (torah) stands for all the Scripture, but it originally consisted of Genesis through Deuteronomy. At the time of this psalm, the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) was all that the Hebrews possessed of God’s Word. We are privileged today to possess God’s complete revelation to humanity.
The blessed person has genuine affection—passionate feelings—for the Bible. He or she has an emotional relationship with Scripture. If we wish to receive God’s life-enhancing favor, we will love the Bible. How can we not love the Word of God if we truly love the God of the Word? The person who longs to be blessed and happy will delight in… • reading the Bible • studying it • thinking about it • hearing it preached and taught • obeying it (see Thought 1 below) b. Meditate on it continuously (vv. 2-3). Deep, passionate affection for God’s Word drives the blessed man to meditate (hagah) on it unceasingly. This Hebrew word is in the imperfect tense, indicating continuous action, ongoing meditation. The Bible has not only “captured his full affection” but also “claimed his full attention.”
Biblical meditation is nothing like the popular techniques taught in Eastern religions in which people are given methods of emptying their minds. To meditate on the Scripture is to be filled with it, “to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with a close application of mind, a fixedness of
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 6 thought, till we be suitably affected with those things and experience the savour and power of them in our hearts.”
Hagah means to murmur, to speak, to study, to talk, to utter. Thus, meditation involves more than keeping God’s Word on our minds and in our hearts. It also includes keeping God’s word on our lips. “Meditation includes audible recitation;” that is, speaking God’s Word aloud. Why is this so important?
The New Testament teaches that the Bible is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). It is a weapon that we are to wield against the enemy. Jesus modeled this when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). When Satan enticed Him, Jesus spoke the Scripture aloud in response. Eventually, God’s powerful Word wore down the enemy and he left the Savior alone.
Our battles as Christian believers are spiritual battles. We fight against Satan and his demonic forces (Ephesians 6:12); therefore, we must wage war against them with spiritual, not physical, weapons. Our weapons are the Word of God and prayer (2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:17-18). To speak God’s Word is to release it and empower it, to unleash its conquering power against the enemy. By speaking God’s Word, we swing the sword of the Spirit against our deadly, destructive foe.
Many voices vie for our attention as we journey through this world. How can we identify which voices must be ignored and which should be heeded? We do it by meditating on God’s Word. Through meditation we learn to discern the counsel of the ungodly and reject it. Meditation also strengthens us to resist the temptation of the sinful way, and it preserves us from developing a scornful attitude toward God’s commands.
As we focus our thoughts on the Bible, we learn more about God and His ways. We learn that God’s holy commands flow from His loving heart and that they protect and guide us throughout life. Through obeying God, we learn to appreciate His commands because God showers His favor and blessings upon us. We become the blessed person of Psalm 1 (John 14:21; 15:10, 14). c. The result (v. 3). The blessed man (or woman) is compared to a tree, but not just any tree. He is not like a wild seedling that randomly sprouts in an inconvenient place. He is like a tree intentionally planted in a carefully chosen spot: by the river where it will receive plenty of water for its growth, where it will have every advantage to become fruitful.
God is presented throughout the Bible as a husbandman or gardener. His relationship with Israel is portrayed as that of an owner and dresser of a vineyard (Isaiah 5). He is seen diligently cultivating His choice vine, the Hebrew nation. Those reached by the Savior are called “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord” (Isaiah 61:3). Jesus also described the Father as the vinedresser and believers as branches of Christ, who is the True Vine. The Father’s work in pruning and cultivating fruit is again emphasized. A believer is also portrayed as a field that is sown and watered, a field in which God produces an increase (1 Corinthians 3:7-9).
Planted also indicates that the blessed individual is firmly fixed. Like a deeply-rooted tree, the righteous are secure when the winds and storms of life rage against them (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 2:7).
The strong root system also delivers fresh water from the river, which produces abundant fruit. The tree flourishes. Its leaves do not wilt and fall off. Its foliage is rich, thick, and lush. As ones who are blessed, our lives are flourishing and fruitful. Like a well-watered tree, we produce spiritual fruit when we delight and meditate in God’s Word.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 7 The blessed man is prosperous in all that he does. Prosperity may include earthly possessions, but God’s richest blessings have nothing to do with material blessings. Scripture speaks of a more valuable prosperity, the prosperity of the soul (3 John 2). True prosperity in our lives is producing the fruit of God’s Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience. Bearing the fruit of God’s Spirit is the result of loving God’s Word and obeying it.
Also note this: water in the Scripture is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39). It is the Spirit who produces fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Water is also a symbol of the Word, specifically of the washing and cleansing effect of Scripture (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26). Sin can quickly make us unfruitful in the service of the Lord. Living in obedience to God’s Word protects our fruit from becoming contaminated, diseased, and destroyed by sin.
(1:3) The Fruit of the Believer: God commands us to bear fruit for the Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. He has chosen us for this very purpose: that we should go and bring forth fruit, spiritual fruit that remains even after we are gone (John 15:16; Romans 7:4). Jesus cursed the fig tree that did not bear fruit (Matthew 21:19), and He is equally displeased with us when we are unfruitful in His service (John 15:2).
The New Testament mentions six fruits that we should bear for the Lord: 1. The fruit of telling others about Jesus Christ and sharing the gospel with them. (Romans 1:13-16). 2. The fruit of holiness. (Romans 6:22). 3. The fruit of giving. (Romans 15:28; Philippians. 4:17). 4. The fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ-like temperament and character, (Galatians. 5:22-23). 5. The fruit of good works. (Colossians 1:10). 6. The fruit of praise and thanksgiving. (Hebrews 13:15).
Loving God’s Word consists of far more than just reading it, listening to it, or studying it. It includes
Understand the unhappy and wicked. In sharp contrast to the enduring blessedness of the righteous is the fleeting worthlessness of the ungodly. Nothing could create a better image of permanence than the flourishing tree planted by the river. Nothing could be more unstable and transitory than the chaff now cited in comparison. a. They are like chaff: Blown about by the winds of judgment (v. 4). Chaff is a common illustration in Scripture of those things that are worthless, temporary, and short-lived. (Matthew 3:12; Jb. 21:18; Psalm 35:5; Isaiah 29:5; Hosea 13:3). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains its significance:
In the process of winnowing [wheat], as it has been carried on in the East for thousands of years, the grain is tossed into the air so that the wind may cause a separation of chaff and straw. The light husks from the wheat and fine particles of straw are dispersed by the wind in the form of a fine dust; the heavier straw which has been broken into short pieces by the threshing process falls near at hand on the edge of the threshing-floor, while the grain falls back upon the pile....This straw is ordinarily saved and fed as ‘roughage’ to the animals. It could easily be gathered and burned…while the chaff is blown away beyond recovery, a strong figure to depict complete annihilation.
The towering tree is firmly established in fertile soil (v. 3). Its deep, huge roots drink abundantly from the flowing river by which it is planted. Its leaves are lush and green, and its limbs hang heavy with sweet, juicy fruit. It stands undaunted when storm clouds gather on the horizon, for it is rooted ever so deeply and can withstand the strongest of winds. This image depicts the godly man or woman. Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 8 The chaff of the wheat, in contrast, is weightless and worthless, without substance and without value. When it is tested, it quickly and easily scatters. It cannot withstand the slightest of breezes, much less the violent gusts of the raging storm. Gone! Here one second, then vanished, never to appear again. This is the ungodly person, the man or woman who does not know the Lord. b. They doom themselves (v. 5). The wind is a symbol of God’s judgment upon every individual (v. 4). As the feathery chaff cannot survive the stormy gales, the ungodly person will not be able to stand in the day of God’s coming judgment. John the Baptist preached this same message to the Pharisees and Sadducees: “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12).
What does the future hold for the ungodly? Tragically, their prospects are both bleak and terrifying. Every person we meet is going to spend eternity in hell unless he or she receives the salvation and life that Christ offers.
As believers, Christ commissions us to spend our lives and resources reaching those who face the eternal doom of judgment. We must accept this responsibility—love people enough to overcome our fears and tell them about Christ. Our family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends will perish eternally if they do not repent of their sins and believe in Christ. How can we claim to truly love them without trying to reach them with the gospel?
Part of the fruit we bear as believers is the souls we bring into the family of God. A special reward—the crown of rejoicing—
Trust the Lord and be righteous. Every human being should seek to know God personally and intimately. When we establish a relationship with Him, He blesses us throughout life and promises to bless us throughout all eternity. Never forget, this relationship is received through trusting Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary. As sinful beings, we are justified or made righteous only through trusting the sinless Son of God (Romans 5:1). Now, a final contrast completes this psalm: a. He knows the righteous (v. 6). Knows (yada) does not speak of a mental awareness, realization, or recognition. The Hebrew word means to know intimately and personally. Here it refers to the relationship between the Heavenly Father and His children—we who have been made righteous through faith in His only begotten Son (Galatians 3:26).
The way of the righteous is carefully guided and protected by God. He personally insures that we will reach our final destination, which is heaven. Through His power and care, we can rest secure knowing that He will take us to our eternal home. b. He does not know the wicked: As a result, they perish (v. 6). The wicked perish because God does not know them.[16] Psalm 1:6 is an example of antithetical parallelism in Psalms. Parallelism is a frequently used tool in Hebrew poetry, in which two corresponding statements work together to teach one truth. In antithetical parallelism, the second statement contrasts or expresses the opposite of the first. When something is said in one statement of a parallel verse, it is usually implied or suggested in the other statement, even though it may not be specifically mentioned. Therefore, the Lord knows not the wicked is implied in the second statement of 1:6; and the way of the righteous is life (the opposite of perish) is implied in the first statement of the verse. Only those who are known by the Lord—who have a relationship with Him—travel the road that ends in life. All others travel the road that ends in destruction. Only two roads and two destinations exist: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 9 is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
You can learn how to follow God by meditating on His Word. This means spending time reading and thinking about what you have read. It means asking yourself how you should change so you will live as God wants. Knowing and thinking about God's Word are the first steps toward applying it to your everyday life. If you want to follow God more closely, you must know what He says.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 10 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
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July Week 3 The Lord’s Plan for the Human Race When We Ask, “Why?”
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against His Anointed One . . . Submit to God’s royal Son, or He will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for His anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in Him! Psalm 2:1-2, 12 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: To take comfort in knowing that the Messiah has ultimate control over world affairs.
A single word crosses our minds when we view the tragedies, evils, and heartbreaks that characterize our world: “Why?” Why does God permit evil and suffering in the world? Why does He allow human beings to stand as enemies of His—to curse and profane His Holy Name, to reject and rebel against Him? Why does God allow evildoers to continue? Why does He let innocent people suffer because of other people’s wickedness? Most people have asked these questions when observing painful oppression or unjust suffering.
“Why?” is the question that begins this most-quoted psalm in the New Testament. In it, the Lord offers this response: the answer is not found by looking around at our world, but by looking forward to the fulfillment of God’s divine plan for the human race. Note that four voices are heard in this hymn. This is, The Lord’s Plan for the Human Race: The Rule of God’s Son, the Savior of the World, 2:1-12.
The people’s rebellion against God. Amazement at man’s gall and God’s patience prompted the author to write this prophetic psalm. Acts 4:25 identifies the author as David, and his is the first voice heard in the psalm. He speaks for all people who are astonished at man’s boldness in rising up against God and at God’s seeming silence at human rebellion against Him. (vv. 1-3). David asked: ➢ Why do people rebel against God when they stand no chance of prevailing against Him? ➢ Why does God permit them to continue in opposition to Him? Four observations perplexed Israel’s king, facts that often bewilder us as well: a. The nations rage against Him (v. 1a). Heathen or nations (goy) describes people united by geographic boundaries, a common language, a political government or system, and/or common ethnicity. Throughout the Old Testament it usually refers to the Gentile nations—those who do not recognize and worship the Lord. They rage against the Lord the same way angry waves violently pound against the shoreline in a fierce storm. b. The people plot against Him (v. 1b). People or peoples (leowm) emphasizes the individuals or tribes of individuals who form a nation. The use of the plural form in this verse stresses how people of various nations will cross geographic, political, and ethnic lines to unite together against the Lord. Even enemies will set aside their differences and national interests to form an alliance against God. Imagine or plot (hagah) is the same word as meditate in Psalm 1:2. It portrays the peoples putting their heads together to form a strategy against the Lord. Note the contrast with the blessed individual of Psalm 1. He or she meditates on God’s (Word) law and delights in it. The rebellious person despises it and meditates on how to escape it. The peoples’ efforts to rise up in rebellion against God are all in vain. They are wasting their time and energy, for they cannot succeed. The psalmist is amazed that people actually think they can defeat God!
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 12 c. The rulers oppose Him and His Anointed One: A picture of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 2). Leaders of nations stir their people to rise up with them in rebellion against the Lord. His Anointed or Anointed One (mashiach) means one who is consecrated by the Lord to a specific office. It is used in the Old Testament of priests (Le. 4:3; 8:12), prophets (1 Ki. 19:16), and kings (1 Sam. 24:6; 2 Sam. 12:7). Transliterated as messiah, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in the promised Redeemer and Deliverer, Jesus Christ. In Daniel 9:25, Jesus is specifically called the Messiah. Christ is the New Testament translation of this word. To whom does it refer in this psalm? d. The citizens all have one goal: To break the rule of God and His commandments (chains) over them (v. 3). The unholy objective of the nations, peoples, and rulers is astoundingly bold: they passionately desire to break free from God, to loose themselves from His authority over their lives. Also note the plural pronoun their in their statements. They are specifically speaking of any dominion of God in their lives that is exerted through His Anointed One—His Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Rebellious people hate God, His Son, and His commandments. They view themselves as slaves chained against their will to Divine laws that restrain them from living as they choose. This is the subtle, deceitful strategy of Satan. The cunning whisper of the serpent in the ear of Eve suggested to her that she was bound to God’s enslaving command not to eat of the one forbidden tree. Satan’s temptation ignited the fleshly desire of Eve’s sinful nature. She wanted to do as she pleased, without the influence or interference of God (Genesis 3:1-6), and thus, sin entered the human race.
Are God’s commandments truly enslaving? Are they indeed chains and ropes that bind us and prevent us from enjoying life? It is crucial that we understand the purpose of God’s laws and the blessings that obeying them brings to our lives.
God’s precepts are born out of His great love for humanity, and out of His desire for only the best in our lives. His commands are boundaries that He established to protect us from the deadly dangers of sin. Sin destroys lives. It wrecks marriages, breaks up homes, and brings immeasurable heartache and pain to our lives. Financial ruin, loss of employment, shattered dreams, broken hearts, injury, disease, and death are found in its path. People who defiantly climb over the fences of God’s commands to play in the streets of sin are the ones who are truly enslaved. They may think they are free to do as they choose, but they find themselves inescapably chained to their sin and its torturing consequences.
True freedom is found within the perimeter of God’s commands. There we are free from the wages of sin. There we do not have to worry about getting caught. There we do not have to be careful to keep our stories straight. There we are safe from both the natural and eternal consequences of harmful, sinful choices. There we are free to enjoy peaceful, prosperous, blessed lives. The truth is, it is sin that is enslaving and God’s commands that are truly liberating.
It is always vain to think that we can prevail against God and His plan. How foolish we are when we try to oppose Him! What is it that so deceives people into senselessly thinking they stand a chance against the all-powerful Creator of the universe?
The answer is PRIDE. Pride is the devastating sin of Satan, and it is first on the list of sins that God especially hates (Proverbs 6:16-17). Pride—the desire to rule our own lives, to topple God and His authority from the throne of our lives—is the root of all opposition to Him and disobedience to His commands.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 13 Furthermore, it is absurd for a group of people or a confederation of nations to think that God can be overcome by their efforts to erase His name from society or by destroying His Word and/or His people. When the Jewish council was plotting to execute the apostles for preaching the gospel, Gamaliel, a Pharisee, spoke words of wisdom that diffused the situation: “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39).
Those who rise up in opposition to God will always suffer defeat. As this psalm teaches, it may not come immediately, but it will—in God’s good time—always come.
Any opposition to Jesus Christ is opposition to God. We live in a world that believes a person can have a relationship with God apart from Christ and that it is possible to worship God without belief in Christ. But there is no true worship of God apart from a relationship with His Son: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).
The Lord’s plan for the universe. The second speaker in this psalm is God Himself. Astonishingly, the omnipotent Creator Himself, the Ruler of heaven and earth, personally responds to David’s searching question (v. 6). a. God’s response to the rebellious (vv. 4-5). The Lord’s answer to those who brashly revolt against Him is simple and direct. His first reply is non-verbal: He is seen simply sitting on His throne (v. 4a). Sitting is a sign of authority and refers to occupying a ruling position. A powerful image is projected in this scene: the one enthroned in heaven is completely secure in His power and position as Lord of the universe. He is neither threatened by nor concerned about the rebellion of any individual or any coalition of nations that unites against Him. He is not snapping into action nor mounting a defense. In fact, He does not even rise to deal with them. Completely undisturbed, the Lord continues to rule without interruption. God is on His throne. His authority is unchallenged.
Second, He laughs (v. 4b). God’s laughter is another expression that declares He is not shaken by His foes. The combined armies of the heathen are no match for Him, and He is not nervous about their plans and attacks. His laughter is for the benefit of His people, all who are truly trusting in Him. It gives a comforting assurance to His people: He is unthreatened and in control. “God’s laughter, as we face the terror of our history, keeps things in perspective. It reminds us of the answer to the question ‘Who is in charge?’ Ultimately, neither ecological disaster nor nuclear nightmare are in charge; God is!”
Third, note God’s amusement at their folly (v. 4c). His laugh is a mocking laugh. He holds those who deliberately oppose him—rebellious enemies—in derision; that is, He scoffs at them. “The presumption of the nations and their leaders causes God to laugh. How can those who are temporal fight the Eternal? How can the creation fight the Creator?” Indeed, their arrogance is sadly humorous. Another contrast with Psalm 1 is seen here: in the previous psalm the ungodly scorn God and His law (1:1), and in Psalm 2, God scorns them. What is amazing to us—that humans would be bold enough to think they can prevail against God—is amusing to the Lord.
The Lord’s amusement turns to anger (v. 5). This is His fourth response to the nations’ arrogance. He fiercely addresses them and strikes terror in their brassy hearts with His furious tone. Vex or terrify literally means “tremble inwardly or palpitate.” Although His declaration does not immediately come to pass, it hangs like an ominous, looming storm cloud over the haughty heads of the wicked.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 14 Some people question whether God’s anger toward sinners is a righteous response. God is not angry because of uncontrolled emotions, but because of His character. His wrath is kindled against the ungodly because of His holy nature. He is not mean and vicious but just and righteous. His perfect, unbiased justice demands that all be held accountable for their rebellion against Him. b. God’s pronounced plan: To install His own King—His Son—as Ruler of earth (v. 6). The Lord has designated a King who will rule over His entire creation from Zion and Jerusalem. Although His coronation has not yet taken place on earth, this King has already been crowned in heaven. Set or installed (nasak) literally means poured out. Here it speaks of the pouring out of oil in the act of anointing a priest or king. As the prophet Samuel anointed young David king of Israel years before He actually occupied the throne (1 Sam. 16:12-13), God has already anointed His Son King of the earth. Although He does not yet reign, God has ordained His rule. In God’s perfect timing, Jesus Christ will be enthroned on earth as the Ruler of the entire universe.
Notice that the Lord does not speak of a king or the king, but of my King. This means that the King “derived his appointment from God, and that he was placed there to execute His purposes. It indicates the very near relation which the anointed One sustains to Him, and prepares us for what is said in the subsequent verse, where he is called His Son.”
The Son’s proclamation of the Lord’s plan (decree): God’s glorious promise to His Son. The third voice heard in response to David’s question is none other than the eternal voice of the pre-incarnate Son of God. He speaks to expound and document what God the Father has said in verse 6. a. God proclaimed His Son to be the King (v. 7). The Son uses two significant words to announce His purpose for speaking: ⇒Declare or proclaim (saphar) means to count or number, usually for the purpose of establishing a record or affirming accuracy. It is the word used for the work of scribes and for the official census of a nation. It also means to recount; that is, to declare or transfer information for the purpose of accurately preserving it. ⇒Decree (khoke) is from a root verb which means to scratch or engrave, as in the writing of laws in stone. The form used here refers to that which has been permanently etched and established. It is used in Scripture of both the law of God and the laws of men. It is also used of the unchanging laws of nature which God established to operate the universe (Job 28:26; Jereremiah 5:22; 31:35-36).
The Son of God is revealing a conversation between the Father and Himself that occurred before the foundation of the world. In that conversation the decree was given that God’s Son would become the sacrifice for humanity’s sin, and that God would exalt Him as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Son is declaring the decree of God’s will—officially adopted and enacted in heaven—that appointed Him as King. b. God promised His Son a glorious inheritance—universal rule: He would inherit the nations and possess the entire earth (v. 8). The human birthright of Jesus was to rule over the entire earth. He left His exalted place in heaven and became a man so that He might redeem both humanity and the earth. The earth is cursed because of our sin; therefore, it too must be redeemed (Genesis 3:17-18; Romans 8:19-22). Because of His sacrifice as the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ is to inherit the earth that He died to redeem. God has bequeathed it to Him. It will surely be His, exactly as the Father has decreed. Simply stated, Jesus will inherit the earth because of His sacrifice at Calvary:“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 15 unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). c. God promised His Son the power to conquer and rule over all the nations, (v. 9). Oh, how the Father loves the Son! The plan of salvation was drafted in the heart of God not only because of His great love for us, but also because of His great love for His Son. The world was created for Christ. It is God’s gift to His Son. Christ’s willingness to redeem it proved His worthiness and right to this great gift.
And oh, how the Son loves us! Jesus does not selfishly cling to His inherited possession, but He willingly shares it with His beloved bride, the Church. He promises that we will rule and reign with Him—that we will even be joint-heirs with Him. How abundantly blessed we are to belong to Him!
We must remember the Lord’s glorious promise during the difficult days of life. Living for Christ is not always easy. Obeying Him requires taking up the cross and following Him (Luke 9:23). Putting the Lord and His will first in our lives requires sacrifice. Furthermore, standing up for the Lord and His Word carries a price, the price of persecution and suffering. But if we are faithful to the Lord, we have been promised a great reward. If we share in His sufferings, we will also share in His glory (Romans 8:16-17; 1 Pe. 4:13). His inheritance is our inheritance. Jesus endured the suffering of the cross by focusing on the joy that was set before Him. We must follow His example, and we must keep our eyes on Him when we become weary in the race of life (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The Lord’s warning to the rulers and citizens of the world. So far, three voices have spoken in this psalm: bewildered humanity, God the Father, and God the Son. To whom does the voice in this final trio of verses belong? Many excellent commentators agree that the speaker is the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is the One who speaks through God’s Word to our hearts. He makes a personal plea to the world’s rulers and then to all who live in rebellion to God and His Son. The Holy Spirit works by drawing us to God and convicting us of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come (John 16:8-11). “God's Holy Spirit yearns over lost mankind. God takes no pleasure in judging men, He would much rather save them than judge them. That is why He adds this last word… God offers man peace, not war.” a. Be wise—heed this warning (v. 10). Wise people will not ignore nor scoff at the warning issued in this psalm. Those who oppose the Lord will not succeed. God’s will has been established in heaven, and in due time it will be carried out on earth. Jesus will reign, and all who reject Him will surely perish.
Powerful people are prone to be puffed up with pride. Sadly, some leaders feel invincible, and some judges think they cannot be overruled. But in His unfathomable grace, God sounds the trumpet of warning to the mighty and haughty. He unveils the distant future that will usher in the glorious day of Christ. “He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25). We have been warned. God has revealed… • what the future holds • how this world will end • who will prevail throughout eternity • what will become of all who refuse Him b. Serve the Lord with fear (v. 11). In view of the coming triumph of Christ, what will the wise do? They will fear the Lord. What does this mean? First, the fear of the Lord is an attitude that demonstrates the highest awe, respect, and reverence toward Him. We who fear the Lord fully recognize His holiness, power, knowledge, wisdom, judgment, and wrath. For those who do not have a relationship with Him, fear includes dread and terror. All who truly fear God’s judgment will establish a relationship with Him. This is possible only through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 16 Second, the fear of the Lord is total submission and obedience to Him. If we fear the Lord we will recognize His authority and bow before Him in humble subjection. Even more, we will obey Him because we appreciate His great sacrificial love for us, the love that nailed God’s Son to the cross. We will yield our lives and wills to Him, and we will serve Him all our days. Anything less than full obedience is not genuine fear of the Lord. c. Rejoice with trembling (v. 11). We who serve the Lord with fear are not slaves; we are not forced into His service against our will. See the contrast with the attitude of those who rebel against the Lord (v. 3). The only chains that bind us are the cords of love and gratitude. Our attitudes have been transformed from one of bondage to that of the bondservant (Exodus 21:1-6). We serve the Lord by our own choice, willingly, cheerfully, and gladly (Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 100:2). Joy floods our hearts as we serve… • because the Lord loves us and has made the ultimate sacrifice to redeem us • because the Lord is a gracious, kind, and lavishly generous Master. He provides abundantly for us, nurtures us, and cares for all our needs • because it is a great privilege to serve the great King, the Son of God Himself • because serving Him brings a great reward • because we are blessed to be a part of His kingdom, a kingdom that will triumph over all the kingdoms of the world. We are elated to be on the winning side and to share in the immeasurable glory of God’s great kingdom
Yet this awareness of ultimate triumph results in a “startling yet quite appropriate mixture of emotions in the face of serving so great a king.” While we rejoice, we must never lose sight of the terrible wrath of God. We should tremble at the thought of His justice and judgment—the dreadful day of the Lord and the destruction of His enemies. Because we know the terror of the Lord, we should seek to persuade others to repent and turn to Him (2 Corinthians 5:11). d. Kiss God’s Son: Submit to Him as the Lord of the universe (v. 12). The wise will kiss the Son. The kiss was a symbol both of affection and submission in the Old Testament world (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Kings 19:18). “Kissing the Son is the act of worship itself. It is the concrete sign of surrender. Thus, the Greek word for worship, proskuneo, means ‘come toward to kiss.’”
All who desire to escape the terrible wrath of the Lord must worship His Son. They must embrace the Lord Jesus Christ. The only approach to God and the only way to have a relationship with the Lord is through receiving His Son (John 5:23-24; 14:6). Notice, it is the anger of the Son rather than the Father that is to be avoided at all costs. God has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22). It is the wrath of Christ that will be suddenly kindled against the enemies of God. Today, He is a loving Savior offering forgiveness, mercy, and grace. But on that day He will instantly change from Savior to Judge. The gentle Lamb, who willingly gave Himself on Calvary’s cross, will become a fierce Lion who will devour His enemies. e. Put your trust and take refuge in Him: You will be blessed (v. 12). The wise will spy the gathering dark clouds of judgment, and, without hesitation, they will run to Jesus. Trust (chasah) means to seek refuge or protection. “It is used literally of taking shelter from a rainstorm (Isaiah 4:6; Isaiah 25:4; Jb. 24:8) or from any danger in the high hills (Psalm 104:18).” The only refuge—shelter, fortress, safe place—from God’s judgment is Jesus Christ. All who flee to Him will be blessed. If we have turned to Him, we will be safe in the terrible day of His wrath, but, even more, we will enjoy all that is promised to the righteous person in Psalm 1.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 17 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 18
July Week 4 How to be Victorious over Stress and Enemies God Is My Shield
But You, O LORD, are a shield around me; You are my glory, the One who holds my head high. I cried out to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Interlude I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. Psalm 3:3-5 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: To fully understand that God is our shield and when we cry out to Him, He will hear and rescue us.
Sleeplessness plagues us all at some time in our lives. For many of us it is a chronic condition; others of us battle it when some burden, trouble, or decision weighs heavily on our minds. Some of us lie awake at night because we do not think we can face what tomorrow will bring. Medicines and methods abound for managing this life-affecting affliction, but only one completely successful cure exists.
David reveals the cure for insomnia and the fearful anticipation of tomorrow in the third Psalm. This is the first psalm in which the occasion for its writing is revealed. Psalm 3 is David’s prayer to the Lord when he was forced to flee a second time from Jerusalem. The first time was when Saul was threatened by David’s popularity and sought the young man’s life. This time, however, David’s pursuer was not an aging, jealous king; it was his very own flesh and blood, his son, Absalom. Backstabbing friends and associates who had fallen for Absalom’s deceitful charms joined David’s disloyal son in the rebellion.
Psalm 3 is the first psalm of lament to the Lord. To many of us, these are the most precious of all the psalms. In the darkest hours of our lives, we identify with them and even quote them in our prayers. These psalms teach us to take our burdens, fears, questions, and even complaints to the Lord. God wants to share everything in our lives. He wants to handle everything we face. God has thick skin—He can handle our frustrations, hopelessness, and even anger. The psalms of lament encourage us to call upon the great Creator and Judge of the universe. And call we should. God loves us so much that He gives us the liberty to dump the raw emotions of our hearts at His holy, omnipotent throne (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Most parents would agree that life’s most intense heartaches involve their children. Imagine David’s heart-piercing pain as his son rose up to destroy him and take his kingdom by force. Imagine his shame as he, the mighty warrior king, fled Jerusalem barefoot and weeping (2 Samuel 15:30). How could anyone sleep in these circumstances? How could any father rest knowing he would face his son in battle the next day?
In this precious psalm, God’s Holy Spirit teaches us how to sleep tonight and face tomorrow (John 14:26; Psalm 4:8). He uses a broken-hearted father and a humiliated king to encourage us as we face the desperate situations of life. This is, How to Be Victorious Over Distress and Enemies, 3:1-8.
Lay your distress before God. The pressure of David’s situation was on the verge of crushing his spirit. Note the words many (v. 1), increased (v. 1), and many again (v. 2). David was outnumbered; he was in the minority. Additionally, this was not an attack from an enemy nation: this was an internal problem. His own nation and family were divided against him. Internal problems are always the most grievous and dangerous, whether in a family, business, church, or nation (Mark 3:24-25). David had no place to turn,
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 19 except to the Lord. He released the stress in his spirit before the throne of the omnipotent God. All the hurt in his heart was poured out at the feet of his Heavenly Father. a. When enemies oppose and rise up against you (v. 1). As believers, we face many foes in our lives. Our enemies are often human, as were David’s enemies. Additionally, we encounter other types of adversaries. Physical problems such as fatigue, illness, and disease work against us. Problems of the soul and spirit—fear, discouragement, depression, frustration, anger, hatred—oppose us. We are in an ongoing war with the temptations that arise from our own sinful desires, such as greed, pride, and lust.
God’s Word instructs us, however, that all attacks are directed from one source. Satan, the great enemy of God and humanity, is behind all attempts to destroy us. He also seeks to destroy those whom the Father longs to save—all who have not received Christ. Scripture unmasks our true enemy: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
One of the sobering truths of the Christian life is this: as we grow in the Lord, our trials and troubles will increase, both in number and in severity. The carnal believer, a person who continues to walk after the flesh rather than the Spirit, is of little concern to Satan and his demonic forces. He or she is virtually no threat to Satan’s evil agenda. This person will be largely ignored by Satan, for Satan has little need to waste his resources where they are not needed.
The spiritual believer, in contrast, is a great threat to the advancement of Satan’s cause. The devil will direct his sharpest attacks and his shrewdest, most effective demons toward the destruction of Christ’s mightiest soldiers. If we are walking with the Lord, we must expect to be opposed. We must constantly watch for Satan’s attacks, his seductions and enticements. b. When friends say that God has forsaken you and will not deliver you (v. 2). David’s false friends defended their disloyalty by claiming that God was on Absalom’s side and that David had lost the Lord’s favor. This false assumption satisfied their corrupt consciences and, to their minds, justified their treason against their king. And, sadly, the opinion that God was judging David was spreading. Note the words of Shimei, a relative of Saul’s, who cursed David as he fled Jerusalem: “The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man” (2 Samuel 16:8).
When sincere believers face trouble, some carnal Christians and unbelievers usually question their relationship with the Lord. They wrongly conclude that God is judging those who are afflicted, perhaps repaying them for sins they have committed. This is what many in Israel concluded against David. It is the same way Job’s friends responded in his dark hours of distress. We must remember that accusations and rumors are not always true. In fact, they usually spring from hearts that are not right with the Lord. If people’s hearts are in tune with God, they do not gloat or rejoice when the chastening hand of God comes upon another. Neither do they assume the place of God in passing judgment. If we are truly spiritual, we understand God’s Word and purposes, and we dare not assume that trouble in the life of a righteous person is God’s punishment.
After describing his desperate situation to the Lord, David inserts the word selah. This may seem to be an unusual place for a pause, but it has a strategic purpose. When we are facing a desperate situation and turn
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 20 to this psalm, the psalmist suggests that we pause here and meditate on the distress and, perhaps, the hopelessness of our situation. This interlude dramatically sets the stage for the full impact of David’s triumphant statement in the next verse.
President Abraham Lincoln said, "I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day." We must realize that we cannot handle life’s burdens and troubles by ourselves. And God does not want us to. There is no special blessing for dealing with trials on our own and in our own strength. The Lord does not favor us for not troubling Him with our problems. In fact, the very opposite is true. He invites us to bring our problems to Him. He wants to work them out for our good and His glory. Our Heavenly Father desires that we depend totally upon Him and that we trust Him to do what we cannot do. Turning to the Lord for help should be our first resort, not our last.
Proclaim your faith in God. But is the simple, yet powerful, word that transitions the mood of this psalm from helplessness to hope, from darkness to light, from weakness to power. Just as this psalm does not end with David’s desperate situation, our overwhelming circumstances are not our doom. We are not left to hopelessly suffer defeat at the hands of our enemies. But informs us that the tone of this psalm is changing with the words “Thou, O Lord.”
David took his eyes off his enemies and focused them upon the Lord. We are not alone in our battles, and we are not without help when we are attacked by insurmountable trouble. It is important to note that throughout this psalm David addresses God as Yahweh (Hebrew), Jehovah (Greek). The only exceptions are when David quotes his enemies (v. 2), and when he responds to their taunts (v. 7). Yahweh (Jehovah) is God’s covenant name, the name that is used to symbolize His faithfulness to His people. The Lord had made a covenant with David, a promise that pledged the throne of Israel to him (2 Sam. 7). After the promise was given, David was not controlled by his fears or his feelings. Instead, he stood firm in the God who does not break His covenant or promises. Psalm 3:3 is one of the most-beloved verses in all the psalms. David’s faith-filled words continue to raise a triumphant spirit in troubled hearts today. a. God is your protector (shield) (v. 3). David’s troubled mind turned to the familiar promises of God’s Word, promises such as these:“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places” (De. 33:29).
The betrayed king’s confidence was not in his skills as a warrior, his armies, or his friends. He knew that His Protector—his shield (magain)—was the Lord. Two types of shields were used by Hebrew warriors. One was a large rectangular shield which the soldier could hide behind and be covered. The other was a small, hand-held shield which was used to fend off arrows and absorb sword strikes. The Hebrew word, magain, is the latter. Note the significance of this word. David was not afraid of a mortal shot or blow from his enemies. The Lord was his shield. The Lord would not just protect David from being struck by his foes, but also He would personally take the shots or blows intended for David. He personally would rise up in front of David and absorb the impact. This reminds us of the smitten Lamb at Calvary who absorbed the impact of sin for us: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 21 The Lord is our shield. When we raise the shield of faith, we declare our unwavering confidence that God will protect us. We bear strong witness to His power and immeasurable strength. b. God is your source of glory (v. 3). David was known as a “man of war” (2 Sam. 17:8). He had ascended to the throne of Israel after being victorious over the giant Goliath and in other military campaigns. He had ruled gloriously over God’s chosen people. But his glory was stripped from him and turned to shame when he suddenly fled from Jerusalem barefoot, weeping, and with his head hung low (2 Sam. 15:14-30; Psalm 4:2). He was further disgraced by that fact that his enemy was his son. But David recognized that any glory he had achieved had come from the Lord, and he was fully aware that only God could restore his former glory.
God’s Word declares that “the Lord will give grace and glory,” (Psalm 84:11). David foresaw God’s glory being restored to him… • through “the honour of serving such a master” as the Lord • through the assurance of God’s covenant that had been promised to him • through the restoration of all that Absalom had taken away from him • through a victory in the battle and a triumphant return to Jerusalem • through the display of God’s favor and power on his behalf, contrary to what his enemies believed
We sometimes face situations that can make us feel embarrassed, scorned, and even disgraced. Problems of an intensely personal nature, such as family strife, financial difficulty, or loss of employment leave us feeling humiliated and ashamed. But even in the midst of our failures, we must remain faithful to the Lord and hope in Him. c. God lifts up and encourages you (v. 3). David’s head was bowed low in despair because of his situation and in dread of the battle ahead. But David declared his unwavering confidence that God would encourage him. First, the Lord would lift his head and give him the needed courage to face his foes, fears, and dreaded tomorrows, just as He will lift ours. He will show forth His magnificent power, strength, and help on our behalf. He will encourage us—make us bold and enable us—to face every problem in the strength He gives.
Second, the Lord would lift David’s head to look above his circumstances so that he might see God’s glory. Ruling above the fray of our world and the attacks of our enemies is God. He is on His throne. In our darkest nights He lifts up our heads to give us a glimpse of Himself—His glory, power, greatness, and sufficiency for our troubles.
Third, David had left Jerusalem with His head hung low in shame and rejection. God would lift his head in triumph, and the king would march again into Jerusalem. God would give him victory and He would reclaim his throne with his head held high. Unfortunate events may embarrass us and cause shame in our lives. They may make us the subject of reproach among our critics and enemies. But when we know that we have been faithful to God, He will lift our heads high and send us to march on undeterred in our faith. In His good time, He will vindicate us and honor our faith and faithfulness to Him. d. God answers your prayers (v. 4). “Too often plans come before prayers.” This was not the case, however, with David. He had no plan, and he realized he was incapable of successfully carrying out a strategy that would defeat his enemies. His first and only recourse was to cry out to God in prayer. In desperation, he cried aloud from the depths of his heart. David was compelled to express the heaviness in his spirit audibly to the Lord. His loud crying released the pressure and pain pent up inside him.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 22 David was confident that God answered his prayers because of God’s covenant relationship with him. His cry to the Lord was the cry of a child to his Father: “I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee” (1 Chr. 17:13).
As believers under God’s new covenant of grace, we enjoy the same Father/child relationship with God: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:14-15). Through the shed blood of Christ, we are given the wonderful privilege of crying out to our Heavenly Father at anytime, any place. He assures us of open access into His glorious presence, and He invites us to come boldly before His throne. When we faithfully approach Him, He promises to help us and to meet our need. e. God sustains—watches over—you through both day and night (v. 5). David powerfully proclaimed his confidence in the Lord. In spite of his distress—the heartache of a rebellious son who sought his life, the fear of attack by his enemies during the night, the dread of tomorrow’s battle—David lay down and slept. His lying down shows just how much he trusted God to watch over him during the night. His sleep shows the peace that God gave him in the midst of unimaginable trouble. David could sleep because he knew God was awake and because, just as God promises, God gave His unexplainable peace in response to David’s prayers: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Let’s Talk: The emotional center of the psalm is verse 5. Take this seriously and ponder its significance. When we are sleeping, what are we doing?
The king awoke to see the morning light because God sustained (samak)—guarded, upheld, supported—him. As he slept, he literally leaned upon the Lord, and he arose with great confidence and strength to face the battle of the day. In the darkest of nights, our loving, gracious Father will give us rest if we will place ourselves in His powerful hands. f. God delivers you from fear—even when thousands oppose you (v. 6). David entrusted his life into the Lord’s hands; therefore, he was able to face the day unafraid. In the Lord’s strength, he stood against the rebellious forces that sought his life. Remember, he was grossly outnumbered. He was neither exaggerating nor using poetic language when he spoke of tens of thousands opposing him. Though mighty and brave, the number of those who supported and fled with him was small in comparison (2 Sam. 15:13; 17:11, 24; 18:7). He and his army were surrounded by Absalom’s disloyal forces, men who once fought in David’s army.
Cry out for God’s deliverance. David’s cry in verse seven is different from his previous cry. This is the cry of confidence rather than of desperation and helplessness. Apparently, God gave David a special sense of His presence and care. Sensing this wonderful truth, David calls out for God’s help. a. Cry out for personal deliverance and for the defeat of your enemies (v. 7). “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6). b. Proclaim your faith: That deliverance comes from God (v. 8). The embattled king dared not take credit for the victory that he was sure he would receive. He gave God the glory for His salvation, praising the faithful God Who keeps His covenant, in spite of his (man’s) sinful failures. With great confidence he pronounced God’s blessing upon his kingdom and its people—the recipients of God’s covenant promises. God would show himself strong not only on David’s behalf but on behalf of the people He had promised to bless.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 23 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 24 August Week 1
How To Get Relief From Adverse Circumstances Finding Peace in Time of Trouble
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! . . . In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:1, 8 (ESV)
Lesson Aim: To stand fast and committed to God by living a godly life, adhering to His values thereby gaining confidence that God hears and answers your prayers.
Trouble never ceases in this earthly life. And no person ever understood or expressed this fact more concisely than Job: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Jb. 14:1).
Many of the psalms deal with various problems and adverse circumstances because we experience so much trouble throughout life. As a matter of fact, most of us have spent many restless nights crying out for God’s help. Thus the Holy Spirit has inspired numerous psalms of lament to help us when we struggle with difficult circumstances.
The author of Psalm 4 is identified as David, but the specific occasion for its writing is not provided. Some commentators link it with Psalm 3, which would mean that it was written during Absalom’s rebellious attempt to overthrow his father. Similarities between the two psalms and the appropriateness of certain statements favor this opinion. To the chief musician or director of music means it is intended for congregational use. Neginoth indicates it is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
As in the previous psalm, David finds peace through prayer and through trusting God to help him. After pouring his heart out to God, he is able to sleep in spite of the overwhelming trouble facing him. Like Psalm 3, this psalm is a pattern to follow in trying times. This is, How to Get Relief from Adverse Circumstances, 4:1-8.
Call upon the God of righteousness. David called upon the Lord to act righteously on his behalf. Righteousness (tsedeq) means that which is morally and ethically just. The troubled king appealed to God on the basis of His holy character. Because God is righteous, David was confident that the Lord would keep His covenant with him and execute justice in his situation. He had faith that God would act to bring about that which was right against those who falsely accused him.
The Scripture commands us to do exactly as David did, to never seek personal vengeance but to commit the carrying out of justice to the Lord. We should never take vengeance against those who wrong us nor are we to personally enforce retribution against them. In cases where crimes have been committed, we may call upon civil authorities, but we are to leave the settling of all personal injustices in the Lord’s hands, He can be trusted to defend and vindicate us, and He will render justice in His due time (Romans 12:19; Heb. 10:30). a. For relief from distress (v. 1). The Lord’s previous deliverance gave David confidence that God would surely rise up for him again. Distress (tsar) literally means a narrow or tight place. Enlarged or give relief (rakhab) means to broaden or set at large, to bring into an open place. We all know what it is to feel smothered or constricted, even short of breath, when in deep distress. David implored the Lord to loosen
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 25 the painful cords that strangled his spirit, to set him free from the anxiety and anguish that were choking the life out of him. He cried out to God for relief. b. For mercy (v. 1). Everything we receive from God is due to His mercy. We never deserve His lovingkindness or assistance, but only His wrath. Mercy (khanan) literally means “to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior.” Through His marvelous grace, we have been brought into a relationship with the God “who stoops down to help needy human beings.” c. To hear and answer your prayer (v. 1). Because of his covenant relationship with the Lord, David boldly requested God’s attention and action on his behalf. He prayed in full assurance that God would answer him. We too have the same privilege of prayer: we can enter God’s holy presence any time, any place. The Lord’s door is always open to us. We can call out to Him with complete confidence that He will answer us according to His will (see outline and notes—Psalm 3:4 for more discussion).
Lesson Notes: David’s basis for calling out to God was the Lord’s faithfulness. Throughout life, time and again, God had given David relief from distress. “Power in prayer comes in part from our memories. Satan wants to make us forget the answers to prayer which we have already received.”
When the Israelites entered the promised land, the Lord ordered them to build memorials as a reminder of the great victories He had given. After He miraculously parted the overflowing waters of the Jordan River, God commanded Joshua to build a memorial with twelve stones for future generations (Jos. 4:1-9). Generations later, the Jews instituted the Feast of Purim as an annual memorial to God’s deliverance from destruction at the hand of wicked Haman (Est. 9:26-28). Many of the psalms are reminders of God’s past faithfulness and recount His mighty acts on Israel’s behalf.
In our times of deepest distress, we can be encouraged by remembering all the prayers God has answered in the past. Every problem He has solved, every need He has provided, every sickness He has healed—all of these remind us that God is faithful. He did it before, and He will do it again. He loves us enough to give His Son for us, and He will not fail us (Romans 8:32). He will always show Himself strong on our behalf, and He will always prove sufficient for our every need.
Call upon your enemies to repent. David turned from calling upon the Lord to address his enemies on God’s behalf. Notice that his attitude is different than in many psalms when he calls upon God to pour out unmerciful wrath upon his foes. His attitude toward those opposing him supports the view that Absalom’s rebellion is the setting for this psalm. David’s enemies were his son and his countrymen, former friends and leaders in his administration and army. He did not desire their destruction, but their repentance. a. Turn from the slander and ruin of God’s king (v. 2). David’s enemies were slandering and damaging his reputation. How long is a call to repent, a call to cease their sinful behavior. Sons of men is a Hebrew term that refers specifically to men of rank, the leaders in Israel. Absalom had stolen their hearts, and they were using their influence to turn others against David.
David realized that God was the sole source of his glory (Psalm 3:3). The glory to which he referred in this verse is his kingly glory, the glory God had bestowed upon him in His ascension to Israel’s throne. Remember that David’s path to the throne began with his glorious victory over Goliath, a victory given by God. The people’s rebellion against David was rebellion against God; they sought to overthrow the man God had chosen to be their king. The same disloyal people who were quick to exalt David over Saul now transferred their cheap allegiance to the charming son of David (1 Sam. 18:7).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 26 David never sought the throne of Israel. It was the Lord who had removed Saul as king and replaced him with the young shepherd. Turn my glory into shame lends insight to their specific accusation against David. They were now attacking him because of the way he—in their eyes—became king. To them, David was getting a dose of his own medicine: Absalom’s ambitious campaign to dethrone him was justice for his alleged overthrow of Saul. Shimei said to David’s face what the people were saying behind his back: “And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man” (2 Sam. 16:7-8).
The enemies’ attempt to ruin David was vanity or delusion, a worthless pursuit. They were wasting their time and destroying their nation for something that could not possibly come to pass. If they continued, precious lives would be lost in battle for no good reason. b. Do not oppose the godly (v. 3) David’s enemies could not prevail against him because God was with him. The Lord had set apart or separated the godly king unto Himself. He was God’s choice, and the Lord had made a covenant with Him to confirm it (2 Sam. 7). In no way did he ambitiously and violently seize the throne from Saul; God had placed him there. “Only a man who is conscious of his innocence could dare to raise an issue of this sort.”
The rebels had convinced themselves that God was on their side, for, as with most soldiers about to engage in battle, they surely had called upon the Lord to help them. However, David was unshakably confident of whose prayers God would hear and answer. Along with his enemies’ futile ambitions, their prayers were also in vain. God would respond when he—not they—called unto Him. God would hear David, not because God was on his side, but because David was on the Lord’s side. He had followed God’s will in becoming king, and he had done nothing wrong. c. Tremble and do not sin (v. 4) David further admonished his enemies to lie awake and search their hearts when they went to bed. This counsel may have also been a prayer. David may have been praying that God would not grant the rebels sleep, but that He would convict them of their sin as they lay upon their beds. Nighttime has a way of keenly alerting our consciences to wrongdoing. Rest does not come easy to those who are guilty before God.
Stand in awe (ragaz) means to quiver or shake with emotion. It is usually translated in the Old Testament as tremble. David is calling upon His enemies to fear the Lord, to tremble because of God’s coming judgment upon them for their rebellion. They will suffer the inevitable destruction they are bringing upon themselves. Some good translations interpret the emotion that causes them to tremble as anger, meaning that David is pleading with them—in their anger against him—not to sin against the Lord. d. Turn to the Lord (v. 5) Absalom, in a deliberate attempt to convince the people that he was right, was offering sacrifices to the Lord (2 Sam. 15:12). These sacrifices were a sham, a deceptive device to persuade the people that he was on God’s side—actually doing God’s will—in overthrowing the king. David admonished the easily-swayed people of his kingdom to awaken to Absalom’s deception and to offer true sacrifices that were rightly presented to God. If they would sincerely approach the Lord, he knew that God would convict them of their sin and open their eyes to Absalom’s evil ways. God would alert them to His will for their nation. The people needed to turn to the Lord, place the matter in His hands, and trust Him to do what was right and just in the situation. If David had sinned in his ascent to the throne, the Judge of all the earth would do right and remove him as king (Genesis 18:25).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 27 As believers, when our zeal is aroused to do what is right, we must be careful not to be deceived by evildoers. This is especially true in the church. Satan attacks the church from within, and sometimes he is able to stir up some carnal church members to rise up against godly pastors and leaders. True, pastors and leaders are sometimes in the wrong. However, those who rise up in open rebellion against godly leadership are never under the control of God’s Holy Spirit. It is Satan who works in people’s hearts to divide and destroy. Most who rebel against leadership have usually been offended or have personal agendas. In some cases, troublemakers have never been genuinely born again. If they were, they would never do some of the things they do. Christ Himself says that they are tares rather than wheat—false believers sown by Satan into the fellowship of the church (Matthew 13:36-43).
David’s call for his enemies to repent is an example for us in our dealings with other believers, especially when they are lying about us or attempting to hurt us in some way. Note that these enemies were Israelites, David’s fellow countrymen and sharers in God’s covenant. Again, his desire is for their repentance, not their destruction. When people—believers or unbelievers—attack and cause trouble for us, we should always seek their repentance, not their destruction.
Call upon God to be good—to let the light of His face shine on you. David again addressed the Lord directly. Notice that he did not entreat God for himself, but rather for the faithful followers who had placed their lives and livelihoods on the line to support and fight for him. They were discouraged, gripped by fear and despair.
Hear the godly king’s plea to the Lord: “Look upon us. Turn your face toward us. Let us see your light in the midst of our darkness. Give us a glimpse of your glory and loving favor. Let us see your face.” David’s plea is not to see God’s hand—he does not call upon God to act powerfully and decisively on their behalf. He beseeches the Lord to show them His face. He desires, more than anything, a manifestation of God’s presence among them. a. Because many question if anyone can help them (show them any good) (v. 6). David’s loyal supporters were sorely discouraged. Having left their homes to flee with their godly king into the wilderness, they were now cold, hungry, and scared. The majority of the Israelites, both leaders and followers, were supporting Absalom. David’s followers were in the minority and suffered every possible disadvantage in the fight. “The tense of the verb indicates that this discouraging statement was repeated again and again by the complainers, and the more they complained, the more others took up the strain.” David called upon the Lord and shared the remarks that came from their downcast and uncertain hearts. Nothing would encourage them like a glimpse of God. The only thing that could lift their downtrodden hearts was for God to lift up His countenance upon them. b. Because God alone can fill your heart with joy (v. 7). David asked the Lord to do for his faithful followers what He (God) had done for him. God had transformed David’s spirit from fear to faith, from darkness to light, from despondency to hope, from sorrow to joy. The Lord had given David victory in his spirit. His dark night radiated with the joy and glory that can only come from a manifestation of the presence of the Lord (John 14:21). Nothing could compare to it, not even an abundance of grain and wine in the kingdom. Note the pronoun their. David does not refer to a personal abundance, but a season of abundance in his kingdom, a time when his people’s barns and tables were full. He desires a joy for his faithful, discouraged followers that surpasses any material prosperity or abundance they had ever known. He wants them to experience the unparalleled joy of the Lord’s countenance.
Two kinds of joy are contrasted here—inward joy that comes from knowing and trusting God and happiness that comes as a result of pleasant circumstances. Inward joy is steady as long as we trust God;
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 28 happiness is unpredictable. Inward joy defeats discouragement; happiness covers it up. Inward joy is lasting; happiness is temporary. c. Because God alone can give you security and enable you to sleep in peace (v. 8). The threatened king poured his heart out to the Lord. God’s unfathomable peace flooded his heart and mind (Phil. 4:6-7). He simply stated, “I am going to bed.” What would the troubled king do under the dark cover of night?
Would he stand guard, armed and ready to defend himself? What would he do about the fight he was facing tomorrow? Would he spend the night strategizing and laying out a plan for victory? No, he would lie down and sleep soundly, without terror of what the night could bring. He was encouraged by the Lord as he faced the battles of tomorrow. God and God alone was his source of safety, and that was enough. God was awake, so David could sleep—and so can we.
Always remember that we need God’s presence more than we need His power. We need Him more than the things He can do for us. All too often we seek God’s hand rather than His face. For this reason, God sometimes allows trouble in our lives to arouse us to seek Him. God is all-powerful; He can do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). We undoubtedly need His help when we are caught in the midst of some trouble. But more than that, we need Him, the very light that only a glimpse of His face can bring. It is this revelation of Him that enables us to “count it all joy” when we fall into various trials and tribulations (Ja. 1:2).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 29 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 30
August Week 2
How to Deal with Lies and Slander Turn to the Lord for Help
O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil. You will destroy those who tell lies. The LORD detests murderers and deceivers. Psalm 5:1-6 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: To better understand what it means to be in a right relationship with God and how the righteous man prays for deliverance.
It was on August 6 and 9, 1945 atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Japan) and ever since the world has lived in fear of nuclear destruction. The most dangerous weapon known to humanity, however, is far simpler and more common than sophisticated nuclear warheads. It has damaged and destroyed far more people than all the collective weapons of war in world history. It is extremely deadly and each of us possesses it: In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:5-8 (NLT2)
Sinful and self-centered people use words to ruthlessly destroy others. When we are stabbed by slander and lies, we usually feel helpless to defend ourselves. It is just impossible to know everybody who has heard an untrue rumor or story about us. It is even more impossible to control whether they believe it. Sinners enjoy a juicy morsel of gossip and are prone to believe the worst without caring to verify its truth. What can we do when others slander and lie about us?
The historical setting of Psalm 5 is not provided in Scripture. The context of its writing is clear, however, from verses six and nine: David’s enemies were trying to overthrow him by slandering him.
Psalm 5 is a song of lament to the Lord, and it is also the first imprecatory psalm. David cries out to God for the destruction of his enemies. Notice this contrast: in Psalm 4 David pleads with his enemies; in Psalm 5 he pleads against his enemies.
To the chief musician or director of music indicates it is intended for use in the congregation. Nehiloth means that it is written for accompaniment by flutes.
In this prayer of David, the Holy Spirit, the great Inspirer of Scripture, shows us what to do when we are lied about and slandered. It stands as a timeless pattern for us to follow as long as we live in a wicked, sin-cursed world. This is, How to Deal with Lies and Slander, 5:1-12
Turn to the Lord for help. Instead of rushing to defend himself throughout the kingdom or attacking enemies who were his fellow countrymen, David called upon the Lord to deliver him from this critical situation. He beseeched God to deal with those who were lying about him. Both David and his enemies were Israelites, citizens of God’s chosen nation and children of the covenant. Why should the Lord listen
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 31 to David over his enemies? David’s basis for expecting God to help him rather than his enemies is revealed in the following verses. a. Ask Him to hear your words—your sighing—your cry for help (v. 1). Vicious lies about the king were flying throughout Jerusalem because Absalom’s first plan of attack was a carefully-strategized war of words. David’s rebellious son charmed potential followers with flattering words, who in turn spread false rumors about the king to their friends and associates. David realized he was powerless to quench the vicious tongues of his foes, so he told his side of the story to the only One Who could help Him, the Lord. Meditation or sighing (hagig) literally means murmur or whisper. Israel was buzzing with the murmuring of deceived followers of Absolom who whispered accusations against their king. In contrast, the godly, slandered king whispered only in the ears of the Lord.
Consider (bene) means to separate mentally. David called upon God to discern between what was being said about him and the truth. b. Submit to the Lord as your King and your God (v. 2). David’s frustration and desperation are apparent in his words to the Lord. The people were listening to Absalom’s murmuring supporters; but David pled with the Lord to listen to his voice rather than theirs. He claimed God’s attention by announcing his allegiance and submission to Him. The king of Israel bowed himself before his King and his God. Note, David addressed God as Elohim, the strong, powerful One; the One whose might exceeds all others. David called upon his King to use His power to overcome those who were trying to destroy him with venomous lies. David also appealed to God on the basis of his faithful obedience to Him. The Lord was his God. He sought the Lord’s attention and assistance because he believed the promise revealed in God’s law: the Lord will help those who obey His commands (De. 27:16-19; 30:11-20). As David would shortly point out, God destroys liars and deceivers (v. 6). In contrast, David lived in submission to God and His statutes. It is important to understand that David did not speak as a man who felt he held claim to God’s blessing or that God was obligated to help him. His attitude was that of one who was confident in the sincerity and holiness of his walk with God.
In the midst of his crisis, David wanted to act only in obedience and submission to God. Instead of directing his distraught emotions toward his foes, he poured them out to the Lord. Unlike his enemies, he did not want to react in any way that displeased God. The slandered king refused to retaliate by returning evil for evil; rather, he submitted himself to God, and committed the handling of the situation to Him. c. Seek God in the morning: Stated twice to stress its importance (v. 3). David was faithful in His fellowship with the Lord. In fact, he began each day in prayer. Unlike so many people, he did not speak with the Lord only when he was in distress or desperately needed something. David was a daily visitor to the throne of grace.
Morning prayer is so significant that it is mentioned twice in this verse. Why is it so important? First, prayer in the morning recognizes God as the greatest priority of our lives. Before David met with anyone else, he first met with the Lord. Before he tended to any of the day’s affairs or business, he first sought the Lord in prayer. The first appointment on his daily calendar was with God. Prayer at the beginning of the day acknowledges God as the most important being in our lives.
Second, morning prayer is important because it recognizes God’s as the greatest power in our lives. Every day, David’s first activity was to direct his voice to the Lord in prayer. Direct or lay (arak) means to set in order, to arrange, to place in a row.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 32 The wise person is able to discern when, and when not, to answer a fool (Proverbs 26:4-5). If we fight back against people who lie about us, we risk sinking to their level. It is often best to turn the matter over to the Lord, as David did, and to simply continue to do right—to stand in truth and righteousness rather than to stand against our opposition (Ephesians 6:13-14).
Morning prayer is our duty; we are the fittest for prayer when we are in the most fresh, and lively, and composed frame, got clear of the slumbers of the night, revived by them, and not yet filled with the business of the day. We have then most need of prayer, considering the dangers and temptations of the day to which we are exposed, and against which we are concerned; by faith and prayer, to fetch in fresh supplies of grace.
Did He hear your voice this morning? Did you start the day without any word with Him, and have you wondered why things went wrong today? They always will if you launch out on the work of the day without speaking to Him first . . . If you want to be a strong overcoming believer in a day of difficulty, be sure to start the day with God.
Confess God’s holiness: Five facts. After citing his faithful relationship with the Lord, David appealed to God’s righteous character as the basis for giving attention to his request. He listed five facts of God’s holiness, virtues that his enemies were violating. In so doing, David “implicitly distinguishes himself from the sinners who are not heard by the Lord.” a. He takes no pleasure in evil (v. 4). b. He rejects the wicked and arrogant: Does not allow them to live in His presence (v. 5). c. He hates all wrongdoers (v. 5). d. He destroys the liar (v. 6). e. He abhors the deceitful (v. 6).
In our efforts to share the love of God for sinners, we must be careful not to diminish His attributes of holiness and righteousness. The wrath of God has been clearly revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of people (Romans 1:18). God, through His boundless love, has made it possible for sinners to be saved from His wrath (Romans 5:8-9). But we must believe—repent and receive Christ—in order to be delivered from the wages of sin. If we do not believe, we will suffer death (Romans 6:23). This does not refer only to physical death, but spiritual death: eternal separation from God in hell— the contrast to eternal life.
Make a renewed commitment to be faithful in prayer and worship. David sharply contrasted himself with the evildoers of whom he had spoken (vv. 4-6). He had already declared the fact that he was faithful in worshipping the Lord daily (v. 3). Now, he presents himself anew before his King and his God. He makes a renewed commitment to be faithful in prayer and worship. a. Approach God through His great mercy (v. 7). b. Be reverent (v. 7).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 33 Confronting overwhelming odds, David offered himself as a living sacrifice to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). He prayed and trusted God for victory, but, at the same time, he was fully aware that God could choose otherwise.
God often grants victory to His faithful people, but He sometimes chooses that they suffer for His glory. It is great faith that believes God for the victory, but it is greater faith that is devoted enough to trust and worship God in the midst of suffering and trial—to submit even to death if God should choose. David demonstrated this kind of faith and commitment.
This is the kind of faith we must have as well. When God, for His purposes, chooses not to deliver us from some trial, we must still trust in Him. When He gives and when He takes away, we must still bless His name (Job 1:21). We must trust Him and glory in the strength He gives to endure the trials that confront us (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). God is always true to Himself and His dear children. If we love Him, He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Pray for three major things. Although David realized that God could allow his defeat, he fervently prayed for God to deliver him and his loyal followers from Absalom’s armies. In these verses, David charges his enemies with being guilty of many sins, sins that God despises (vv. 9-10 cp. v. 4-6). a. Pray for God’s guidance: That He lead you in righteousness (vv. 8-9). b. Pray for God’s justice: That God declare the wicked guilty—let them fall and banish them (vv. 10). c. Pray for God’s protection and blessing (vv. 11-12).
We must not miss the message of this great psalm. It provides a pattern for us to follow when we are lied about and slandered:
✓ (1) Seek the Lord’s guidance. Do not stray from the path of righteousness by reacting wrongly against your enemies. Ask the Lord to lead you every step of the way. Submit your will and emotions to the control of His Spirit. ✓ (2) Do not seek to retaliate against your enemies, but commit the carrying out of justice to the Lord. God can be trusted to take care of them. ✓ (3) Examine your own heart and life, your faithfulness to the Lord and His commands. If you are unfaithful in any area of life, confess it to God and repent of it. The righteous will be blessed and favored by the Lord. Be sure your life is one that He can bless, then trust Him to protect you and vindicate you.
The victory may not come immediately, but in God’s timing our lying enemies will be exposed and defeated. They will often fall by their own hands: the hypocrisy and wickedness of their lives will be eventually displayed and seen by all. We must trust in the Lord, rest in Him, and continue to do good. It is often the process of time that tells the truth. Over the long term, the faithful and their families are established and blessed, and the ungodly are fully exposed and driven away in God’s justice.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 34 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 35
August Week 3
How to Pray for Healing
O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in Your rage. Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. Psalm 6:1-2 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: To seek healing from God whenever sick or depressed and know that He will comfort our mind, body, and spirit.
The One true God declares Himself to be a healing God (Exodus 15:26). He revealed Himself as Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals. In this psalm, David turned to Him when his body was racked with intense pain and his soul was plagued with severe depression. He believed, as we must believe, that God had the power to heal him.
Scripture does not disclose the specific historical setting of this psalm. The heading identifies its author as David, who composed it to be sung in the congregation. Neginoth means it is to be accompanied with stringed instruments. Sheminith means the eighth and is apparently a reference to the octave in which it is to be performed. Psalm 6 is a great consolation to those who are suffering and a great encouragement for us to cry out to God when we are sick. This psalm is a great teacher on the subject of sickness, faith, and healing. This is, How to Pray for Healing, 6:1-10.
Ask God not to rebuke or discipline you in anger (judgment): Ask Him to correct you in love. Apparently, God was using pain to discipline David because of some sin in his heart and life. David discerned this fact; therefore, he offered up this prayer to the Lord. We need to remember, however, that not all sickness is due to sin. ▪ Ill health can be due to the fact that we live in a corruptible world, which means that we bear the normal sufferings of accidents and diseases and an aging and dying body. ▪ Scripture teaches that ill health can also be due to satanic attack. Two examples are Job’s illness (Job 2:7) and Paul’s nagging thorn in the flesh which is described as the messenger of Satan (2 Corinthians 12:7). ▪ Scripture also teaches that the Lord disciplines us because of our sin by allowing us to suffer illness and pain. For example, the Lord told the Israelites that if they did what was right and obeyed His commandments, He would spare them from the diseases He had inflicted upon the Egyptians in judgment (Exodus 15:26). In the New Testament, James exhorted the sick and afflicted to confess their sins (James 5:13-16).
Sickness and pain can have a profound effect on our attitude toward God and our understanding of His ways. David pled with the Lord not to discipline him in anger or wrath. His perspective toward God’s attitude in afflicting him was seriously flawed. God never flies into a rage nor does He strike us, His sons and daughters. He is a loving Father who desires our obedience and happiness. He first rebukes us—that is, He warns us of our sin and its impending consequences. This is done through His Word (John 15:3; 17:17; Ephesians 5:26) and His Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin (John 16:8). If we persist in sin, He then chastens or disciplines us with His rod of correction. His painful discipline is not motivated by His anger, but by His love and desire for what is best for us. He wants to keep us from harming ourselves and others through sin (Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 36 The first thing we should do when afflicted with illness is examine our hearts for unconfessed and unrepented sin. David recognized that sin in his life was the reason for his suffering. However, some believers find it difficult to admit that some sin is the cause of their suffering, especially sins such as gluttony, selfishness, immorality, negative attitudes, and a host of others that look good, feel good, and boost one’s ego (1 John 2:15-16). But, unless our hearts and consciences have become hardened and seared beyond feeling, we know when we are living in disobedience to God. God’s indwelling Spirit is never slack in convicting us when we are guilty of sin.
If we are wise, we will heed the rebuke of the Spirit and repent of sin before discipline (chastening) becomes necessary. But be assured of this: God will not turn a blind eye to persistent sin in our lives. He loves us too much to allow us to hurt ourselves, others, and His work by continuing in sin.
When suffering, it is easy to become angry or resentful toward God. But we must always remember this truth: God loves us enough to correct us, even as an earthly parent who loves his or her children corrects them.
Pray for God to heal you. Some sincere believers are hesitant to petition God for their own needs. They believe it is selfish to ask for God’s help and think they should always pray for others. While this attitude is noble, it is not the teaching of Scripture, nor is it the example of the psalms. David cried out to God for relief from his pain and for the healing of his sickness. Scripture commands the sick and suffering to pray (James 5:13-16). The Bible unquestionably declares that neglecting to pray for others is a sin (1 Samuel 12:23), but it is certainly not a sin to pray for ourselves. a. When to ask for healing (vv. 2-3). David begged God for mercy (khanan). This word means “to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior.” In verse 4 David calls upon God’s mercies or unfailing love (chesed), but here he simply pleads with God to pity him. He asks the Lord to look down upon him with compassion and to show kindness to him. David was powerless to heal himself; nothing he could do had the power to relieve his pain, but God could help him. God alone had the ability to heal him and to ease the pain he was suffering.
In desperation, David described his condition to the Lord. First, he was physically weak (umlal)— exhausted, feeble, and unable to care for himself (v. 2). He felt that his life was slipping away. This word is used in the Old Testament to “express the process of withering of leaves [and] crops (Isaiah 24:7; Joel 1:10, 12).” He was in excruciating, unrelenting pain. His suffering was so severe that his bones, the very core and frame of his body, were trembling in agony.
Second, he was in severe emotional distress (v. 3). His soul was intensely troubled. He trembled not only because of physical pain, but because of emotional anguish. Note that his emotional pain was far worse than his physical pain. Physically he was in agony (vexed), but emotionally he was in anguish (sore vexed).
Acute, ongoing pain can cause people to plunge into the depths of depression. And many are powerless to pull themselves out of the pit of despair. Medical experts have repeatedly documented the impact of a positive mental attitude upon healing. As an example, the Apostle Paul says that he survived the trouble and afflictions he bore by renewing his inward person—his soul—daily in the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:16). b. Why ask God for healing (vv. 4-7). David suffered spiritual as well as physical pain (v. 4). He could not renew himself in the Lord because he was out of fellowship with God. His sin placed a solid barrier
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 37 between him and God, and he felt forsaken by God. In desperation and fear for his life, David begged God to turn back to him and to deliver him from his intense suffering.
Note that David’s basis for crying to God for healing was his covenant relationship with the Lord. His hope that God would deliver him was based on the Lord’s love and faithfulness to His promises. The Lord is the God of mercy, the God of steadfast, unfailing love (v. 4).
The man after God’s own heart (Ac. 13:22) prayed for healing so that he might continue to live to worship and serve the Lord (v. 5). David was genuinely convinced that he was going to die; consequently, in desperation, he begged God for his life. The Bible warns that persistent sin can cost believers their lives. If we stubbornly continue in sin, God may choose to take us to heaven prematurely to keep us from harming others (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 11:30-32).
David offered a sound reason for God to heal him: if he died, he could no longer praise or be a witness for the Lord here on earth. David was implying that if God would let him live, he would remember His mercy and lovingkindness. His life would be a memorial to God’s goodness and faithfulness.
When severe trials and suffering confront us, we sometimes feel it would be better to go on to heaven than continue here on earth. But as believers, we should covet to live so that we may have more time to worship and bear witness for God.
David expressed the hearts of so many suffering people when he cried out, “How long?” (v. 3). “Here we are given permission to question God, permission to cry out in our pain. If our prayers are not honest they are not prayers.” Scripture teaches that it is not wrong to question God when we are suffering, as long as we ask in faith and trust, not in doubt. God promises to give us wisdom—insight and understanding—as we deal with the trials and sufferings of life: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth [rebukes] not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:5-6).
When the Israelites came to the bitter waters of Marah, the Lord revealed Himself to them by a new name—a new dimension of His character. He called Himself Jehovah Rapha, the Lord that heals (Ex. 15:26). God is the Great Physician, the one who heals all your diseases (Psalm 103:3). This verse declares that the Lord heals all our diseases. How does He do this? How can the Bible make this claim when, in fact, many sicknesses are terminal and result in death? Note three ways that Jehovah Rapha heals:
(1) Sometimes He heals naturally. Our bodies are amazing machines. They are designed by our Creator to naturally restore and rejuvenate themselves. God has also given humanity incredible knowledge about the body; He has revealed to us how to use substances and chemicals (medicines), as well as procedures and treatments, to help heal our bodies. The spontaneous recovery of the human body and the effectiveness of the medical arts fall within the realm of natural healing.
(2) Sometimes He heals supernaturally. God is still in the business of reaching down from heaven and sometimes touching the sick and infirm with His miraculous, almighty healing hand.
(3) Sometimes He heals ultimately and finally. God chooses to heal many of His dear children by releasing them from their bodies to never again know sickness or pain. Consider this: every person healed by natural or even supernatural means will suffer again. For example, every individual in the Bible who was miraculously healed by Jesus eventually died. But when we are liberated from our sin-cursed bodies
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 38 through the process of death, we never again know suffering, sickness, or pain. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord…” (Revelation 14:13).
Declare your confidence in God. Somewhere between verses 7 and 8 something changed in David’s heart. Some scholars think that these verses were added to the psalm at a later time, after David had been healed. However, nothing in the text indicates this. David’s prayer has not yet changed his circumstances, but it has changed him.
First, he has released his suffering to the Lord. All of his senses and emotions—intense pain, despair, depression, agony, anguish—have been deposited at the throne of grace. His misery is no longer his alone to bear. He has cast his burden upon the Lord, and God is sustaining him (Psalm 55:22). Second, his fellowship with God has been restored. He no longer feels alienated from God. Although it is not specifically recorded in this psalm as in others (Psalm 32, 51), David has confessed his sin and has been restored to a right relationship with God. The Lord has heard and accepted his prayer (v. 9). This indicates that he is no longer cherishing iniquity in his heart (Psalm 66:18; Pr. 28:9). Third, God has answered David with His unexplainable peace (Phil. 4:6-7). The balm of God’s sweet assurance has soothed his aching soul. He is confident that he will survive this sickness, and that the Lord will raise him up in triumph over his enemies. a. Rebuke your enemies because God hears your weeping (v. 8). The encouraged king turned from beseeching God to rebuking his enemies. In bold faith, he, from his sick bed, ordered them to flee. God had heard his cries and seen his tears. David gave his foes fair warning that he would soon be on his feet again. If they were wise, they would depart before he emerged from his chamber and set upon them. Like David, we too can be bold against our enemies when we have sought the Lord and are filled with the confidence of His favor. b. Rest assured in the Lord—that He has heard your cry for mercy and accepted your prayer (v. 9). The Lord had heard David’s supplication (tekhinnah)—his request for grace and favor. Note that the latter word is derived from the word for mercies (khanan) in verse 1. God had compassion upon David and stooped to lift him up when he was down. David had offered his desperate prayer up to God, and God had accepted it. c. Know that your enemies will be ashamed and troubled: They will stop attacking you (vv. 10). David pronounced upon his enemies the same terrible anguish and pain he had experienced. The same people who rejoiced in his suffering would soon retreat in shame and disgrace. They would bear the same anguish and pain he had suffered. God had given David the inward victory, and when his body was fully restored, the outward triumph would come to pass.
Psalm 6 has a very important message for us: God desires our holiness and will take whatever action is necessary to produce it in our lives. More than anything else, God desires our fellowship. When we harbor sin in our hearts, communion with Him is severed. If we continue in sin, God will chasten us because He loves us. He corrects us for our profit, to produce righteousness in our lives (Heb. 12:5-11). As stated earlier, chastening may be painful. The Lord may allow us to suffer some form of physical illness or weakness (1 Corinthians 11:30-32). David’s suffering was due to some unconfessed sin. We do not know specifically what his sin was, but we know that it had persisted to the point of potentially costing him everything—his life and his kingdom. But he returned to the Lord. He called upon God to forgive and heal him, and the Lord lifted His chastening hand from David and restored him.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 39 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 40 August Week 4
How to be Delivered from Evil Pursuers Take Refuge in the Lord
I come to you for protection, O LORD my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me! If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me. O LORD my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust. Interlude Psalm 7:1-5 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: To have confidence in God’s deliverance.
All of us have a measure of control over our emotions. For some that level is much higher than it is in others. Some of us have short fuses; we are very easily and quickly incited. Others of us have a great deal of control over our feelings. Our patience is long, and it takes a great deal to push us to the point of becoming excited or distressed over a situation. Every individual, however, has a point at which his or her emotions are aroused.
David had reached that point when he penned Psalm 7. He added the term Shiggaion to the introduction, which means that it was to be sung with intense emotion. This psalm was not originally composed for congregational use; David sang it directly to the Lord. As in Psalm 5, David was being falsely accused, and the stakes were high. Cush the Benjamite was seeking to tear him apart, the way a lion ravages its prey (v. 2). David had reached his breaking point and cried out to the Lord to intervene on his behalf.
Scripture does not reveal who Cush was. In fact, this is the only time he is mentioned in the Bible. The one detail provided about him is that he was a Benjamite, which identified him as a relative of Saul. Because of this, most commentators speculate that the historical setting was Saul’s pursuit of young David, when some of Saul’s men spied on David and reported lies about him (1 Sam. 24:9-10); or the rebellion of Absalom, when some of Saul’s relatives rose up against him (2 Sam. 16:5-8). This is, How to Be Delivered from Evil Pursuers, 7:1-17.
Take refuge in the Lord. Because the sword of slander strikes in unpredictable and unknown places, it is usually impossible to dodge the hurt and pain it causes. The only place David could take cover from the deadly, two-edged tongue of Cush was in the Lord. Trust (chasah) means to flee for protection or refuge. Only the Lord, David’s omnipotent, faithful God, could shelter him from Cush’s slanderous attacks. a. Cry out for God to save and deliver you (v. 1). David’s reputation, future, and his very life were held captive to Cush’s accusations. He cried out for God to save (yasha) him—to set him free—to deliver (natsal) him from his persecutors. The latter is the same word David used in relating his experience of snatching a lamb out of a lion’s mouth (1 Sam. 17:35). This word sets up the image that follows. b. Describe the danger and helplessness of your situation: There is no one to rescue you (v. 2). David compared his situation to that of a captured animal. He was like a helpless lamb held at bay by a hungry, roaring lion. Soon the lion would finish toying with him, take him in its mouth, rip him to pieces, and devour him. There was nobody to deliver or rescue David. If God did not save him, he would be destroyed. David’s situation was extremely serious. In desperation he cried out to the Lord. Each of us knows what it is like to be in a situation where nobody can help us and all seems hopeless: • Being slandered and falsely accused, as it was with David. • Suffering a physical affliction, a deadly disease or life-threatening injury. Or even worse, such a threat to a loved one.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 41 • Facing financial bondage or a looming financial loss. • Dealing with a work situation where others are against us and setting us up for failure. • Feeling imprisoned or held captive by evildoers or by some uncontrollable, hopeless circumstance.
We must never forget that there is a place of refuge—a shelter, a safe place—for every desperate soul. Again and again, this is the message of a psalm. When there is no other source of protection, the Lord can cover us. When there is nobody near to save us, the Lord can rescue us. When we are in bondage, the Lord can set us free. When there is no means of escape, the Lord can make a way. When we are clenched in the lion’s mouth, the Lord can snatch us away to safety. There is no such thing as a helpless believer or a hopeless situation. God is always near, and He always hears when we cry out to Him. We can turn to Him, resting confidently in His faithfulness, His power, His sustaining grace, and His perfect plan for our lives.
Search your heart to see if you are guilty of offending others. Here is the most valuable lesson of this psalm: David sincerely invited the Lord to search him through and through to see if he had done anything to provoke his enemy. Before he dare ask the Lord to execute justice against Cush, David needed to establish that he was not guilty of any injustice toward him. He humbly acknowledged the possibility that he was in the wrong, that he had caused Cush to do wrong.
David’s statements in these verses are likely a protest of his innocence, for he knew that he stood guiltless before his enemy and before God. The oath he swore is extreme and reflects his inflamed emotions at the situation (v. 5). Nevertheless, he opened himself completely to the Lord for an examination of his ways. He invited the one whose eyes see all—outward words and actions as well as inner thoughts and motives—to search him thoroughly. a. The areas of possible sin (vv. 3-4). David named two specific accusations the Benjamite was making against him, or they may be serious hypothetical sins that David is saying he did not commit. The first is creating or provoking a conflict for no reason with someone who was at peace with him. David called upon God to determine if he was guilty of picking a fight—stirring up unnecessary trouble with Cush, or more likely with Saul, Cush’s relative and king. b. The needed attitude: To acknowledge that one deserves to be punished for sin (offending others) (v. 5). David’s unwavering confidence in his innocence is reflected in his taking a severe oath. If he was guilty of the accusations against him, he deserved a punishment equal to his crimes. If the Lord examined him and found him at fault, he was willing to accept an appropriate sentence for his offense. He invited God to lay upon him the same justice he was seeking against Cush. If David had unjustly provoked Saul or was guilty of rebellion against Saul or had ambitiously seized Saul’s throne, then he deserved a death sentence. His unjust actions had cost King Saul his throne and his life. David’s language is graphically intense and emotionally charged. He cursed himself to a violent, humiliating death: to be trampled into the dirt in utter disgrace.
David’s ifs are not the ifs of insincere, half-hearted apologies (vv. 3-4). Many people offer hypocritical apologies composed with an if statement: “If I offended you,” “If I did what you say,” “If I wronged you in anyway…then I am sorry.” Such apologies are usually not genuine, and they do little to restore relationships. Sincere, effective apologies own up to the wrong done and repent of it.
Although he is convinced of his innocence, David is acknowledging the possibility that he is at fault, and he is accepting responsibility if, in fact, he is. Every believer should possess this attitude. We should recognize the fact that we are not always in the right and that we may unintentionally cause offense to others without realizing it. We should be willing to accept responsibility for our role in a conflict or misunderstanding, and be willing to do what is necessary to right the wrong we have committed against another person. In any instance of conflict with another, we should invite the Lord to search us and reveal to us any trespass we have committed.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 42 Note that David ends verse 5 with selah. It is a good place for us to pause and, in reflection on these truths, examine our hearts and actions toward others.
Ask God to execute true justice and judgment. David knew that God was just and righteous, and he was convinced that God should be angry on his behalf (v. 6). He was emotionally incited because of Cush’s lies, and he believed God should be too. The slandered king boldly, but not irreverently, calls the Lord to three immediate actions. ⇒Arise—Get up from a seat of observance and spring into action! ⇒Lift up—Stand against the unjust in passionate, righteous indignation! ⇒Awake—How can You sleep while this is going on? Open Your eyes to see what they are doing to me and decree the justice they deserve! a. Ask Him to gather the people before Him and call them to give an account of their behavior (v. 7). David described a courtroom scene in his appeal to God for justice. He called upon God to rise like a judge and to pronounce a guilty verdict upon his enemies.
The majority of Israelites had turned from David and supported his wickedly ambitious son. David may have been imploring God to rise up not only against Cush, but against all the citizens who had unjustly betrayed him. b. Ask Him to judge the people (v. 7b-8). David called upon God to rise up in righteousness against all the people—every person of every nation. Nobody is excluded from God’s authority and from accountability to Him. He sits on high where He observes all and ultimately rules over all (v. 7). c. Ask Him to vindicate you—to declare you innocent because of your righteous behavior (v. 8). None of us stands righteous before God nor do we have any claim to righteousness before God apart from justification through faith in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 5:1, 9; Galatians 2:16). David was not saying that he was completely righteous in every area of his life; he was simply pleading his righteous behavior in this particular situation. He had committed no sin against his enemies. He had behaved justly and rightly in all his dealings with them. With a clear conscience and clean hands (Genesis 20:5; Psalm 18:20), David declared that his integrity was uncompromised (Psalm 26:1). He stood blameless in this matter. David fully expected God’s intervention on his behalf before the world. He expected to be vindicated because of his testimony for the Lord, that of obeying God’s commandments and living righteously (Tit. 2:12-13).
Lesson Notes: When we are falsely accused and persecuted, we must firmly believe that the judge of all the earth will do right in our case (Genesis 18:25). Although we may have every right to call upon God to act in justice against our enemies, a greater principle was later revealed through Jesus Christ: it is far greater to surrender our right for justice and pray for God to forgive our enemies. This was the shocking attitude of our Savior at Calvary, and it was modeled by Stephen, the godly deacon, when he was martyred. Because God has forgiven us of our grievous offenses against Him, we should desire the repentance of those who sin against us. Vengeance and justice against those who wrong us should be left in God’s hands. This is the sign of those who are spiritually mature (Matthew 5:48).
Ask God to put an end to wickedness and to make the righteous secure. When we are in the midst of some crisis, we should always remember who God is and what He does. This is David’s emphasis in these verses. He appeals to three of God’s attributes—the qualities that express His essence and character—in calling upon Him to intervene against his enemies: ⇒His righteousness (v. 9a) ⇒His omnipotence—God (Elohim) is the strong, mighty one (v. 9) ⇒His omniscience—“trieth the hearts and reins” (v. 9b)
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 43 a. Because God alone can search the heart and mind—know who is wicked and righteous (v. 9). God and only God has the power to know the absolute truth in David’s situation. Many others had been deceived into believing lies and turning against David, but the all-knowing God cannot be deceived. He alone has the ability to try or search our hearts, so He alone can judge righteously in any conflict. Reins means kidneys and was used in Old Testament times as a symbol of the deepest, innermost part of a person. God knows what is truly deep within us, what we are really thinking. He is able see beyond our actions and discern our motives and intentions. David called upon God to judge who was truly right in his situation and to establish him—to cause him to stand innocent and secure in the sight of all the people. b. Because God is your protector (shield) (v. 10). Every lie Cush was spreading was a fiery dart acutely aimed to pierce David’s heart. David knew he was powerless to fend off those darts. He rested in the unwavering confidence that God would be His defense or shield (see note, Protector, Shield—Psalm 3:3 for more discussion). Firmly clutching the mighty name of God (Elohim), David raised it in front of his chest to deflect the slanderous darts of his foes. Notice that David moves from declaring who God is to describing what God does (v. 9). The Lord protects those whose hearts are right against the attacks of their evil-hearted enemies. c. Because God saves the righteous (v. 10). God displays His power to save or set free “those whose hearts are true and right” (NLT). Upright (yashar) means straight or even. It refers those who walk straightly in line with God’s law, who do not stray to the left or right of God’s holy commands.
Lesson Notes: Who God is and what God does: this must be our confidence when we are unjustly accused and attacked. We have a divine right to call upon God to act justly against all wickedness—to act according to His character and power on the behalf of the innocent.
David could boldly invoke God because he was absolutely confident in his uprightness. He could insistently call upon God to execute justice because he was innocent of sinning against his enemies. Once again, note the important truth of this psalm: David had opened his heart to a thorough examination by the all-knowing God. No guile or evil was found in his heart against those who were trying to destroy him. He could fearlessly call down God’s wrath on the evildoer in his situation because he knew God’s justice would not strike him (David).
When we walk in a straight line, truly follow God’s commands, we are empowered to live with a holy boldness that only comes from being rightly related to Him and others. When we obey God, we have nothing to fear: not the unwarranted attacks of our foes and not the judgment of God upon us. Walking after the Spirit rather than the flesh—obeying the Lord rather than our sinful desires—gives us confidence against God’s condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Bear strong witness to the Lord: He is the righteous and fair judge. In these verses, David presents a colorful picture of God. Note the striking images that portray Him in action against slanderers and evildoers. a. God judges the wicked everyday (v. 11). David first described God as a righteous judge who is diligent in his duties. The key words in this verse are every day. Every day the judge of the universe is on the bench. He never compromises His attitude toward wickedness. Every day he is angry or righteously indignant. His demeanor toward evil never changes, and He is consistently heated against the wicked. He never cools down or becomes lax, not even for a second. He never takes a day off from His duty. Every day he expresses His indignation against wickedness and corruption. b. God will judge—wage war against the wicked—if the wicked do not repent (v. 12). Understand this also about the attitude of God as the judge of the universe: He does not want to execute or destroy evildoers; He desires, rather, that they turn from their sins. The Lord warns the wicked and gives them opportunity to
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 44 repent or change their ways. If they do not, His role toward them changes. In addition to a righteous judge, David describes God as a mighty warrior who wages war against the wicked. Envision the clear images of God in this verse: ▪ He is sharpening His sword in preparation for battle. ▪ He is bending His bow—stringing it tightly so that it is taut and will shoot both accurately and forcefully. c. God is preparing to execute justice and judgment on earth (v. 13). The Lord’s weapons are fully prepared, and He is ready to strike all who refuse to repent of their wicked ways. Notice how His sword and arrow are described: they are instruments of death or deadly weapons. When God finally delivers justice upon the earth, He will not strike to maim or injure but to kill. His judgment will be fierce and final. His arrows will be fiery arrows, shafts shot for the purpose of igniting their target and burning it completely. This is a picture of hell, the lake of fire where all the unrighteous will perish for eternity (Revelation 20:15).
Lesson Note: This passage prophetically points to Jesus Christ who will come again to judge the earth. In Re. 19:11-21 He comes to make war. This mighty warrior destroys His enemies with His sharp sword (v. 15, 21): the two-edged sword, His holy and powerful Word (v. 21; Heb. 4:12).
Jesus, the righteous judge who opens the books, declares that all who refuse to repent are guilty, and He casts them into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). God has set the lake of fire ablaze for the devil and his angels, but it is the eternal destination of all who do not repent and believe in Christ (Matthew 25:41). He has committed all judgment to His Son (John 5:22-29). When Jesus returns to earth, He will come to execute judgment (Jude 14-15). He is both a warrior and a judge.
Know that evil reaps bad results. Not only will evildoers face God in judgment, but they will also face the consequences of their sin in this life. God’s Word promises that we will reap what we sow; we will eat the fruit of the seeds we have sown (Galatians 6:7-8). Note the images David draws upon to portray this constant natural law. a. The wicked plan evil and reap trouble and disillusionment (v. 14). b. The wicked will suffer retribution (vv. 15-16).
Lesson Notes. Grasp the difference between God’s judgment (vv. 11-13) and natural retribution (vv. 14-16). Repentance of sin may bring relief from God’s condemnation, but it does not assure release from sin’s consequences. If you conceive evil, you will give birth to evil. If you fall into a trap you have dug and cannot escape, you will perish in it. If you sow corn, you will reap corn. If you sow wheat, you will reap wheat. You may repent and change your ways, but the seed has been planted and will inevitably bear fruit. Preachers often cite three laws of sowing and reaping: (1) You always reap what you sow. (2) You always reap more than you sow. (3) You always reap later than you sow.
Praise God’s Name: Praise Him because of His righteousness. Psalm 7 began on a frenzied low note, but it ends on a rapturous high note of glory to the righteous judge of the universe. The intense emotion that marks David’s petition to the Lord carries over into his praise. Note that David exalted the Lord because of who He is: ▪ He is righteous; righteousness is one of His attributes. ▪ He is Jehovah Elyon, the Lord Most High, the one who sits above and justly rules over all.
David’s exaltation is an exclamation of faith. God had not yet delivered him from his enemies, but he praised God for what He would do, even before his vindication and victory came. David realized this great fact: even if the Lord did not deliver him in the present, He would vindicate him in the future. He would judge his Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 45 enemies on that day when all the unrighteous stand at God’s throne and are judged for their evil deeds (Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46).
Lesson Notes. We must always remember that God does not settle all scores in this life. God is not bound by earthly time and space (Psalm 90:4; 2 Pe. 3:8). His docket extends into eternity. In His own time He will call every unrepentant sinner before His judgment bench. This means that we may not always be vindicated of every evil against us in this life. But when God finally judges all people, He will set the record straight. For believers who slander us, the record will be set straight at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10). For unbelievers, the truth will be established at God’s Great White Throne Judgment when the books are opened and the sins of the unsaved are read (Revelation 20:12).
We must trust God for justice against those who sin against us, and we must have sufficient faith to rest in Him. David magnified God’s righteous character, and when He focused on God’s unfailing faithfulness to Himself (2 Timothy 2:13), he was lifted from captivity to his enemies. His soul was set free from his persecutors long before his reputation was restored. Notice again this great lesson: his prayer did not immediately change his circumstances, but it changed him.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 46 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 47 August Week 5
Honoring God the Creator O Lord How Excellent!!!
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! who hast set Thy glory above the heavens. Psalm 8:1 (KJV)
Lesson Aim: To find our way by focusing on God and to acknowledge how God has provided guidance in our lives.
Do you remember lying on your back in the grass and gazing up at the infinite wonders of the night sky? Sadly, this childhood practice is abandoned by most adults. It is natural to imagine that this was David’s posture as the Holy Spirit formed Psalm 8 in his heart and mind. His mention of the moon and the stars (v. 3) indicates that he was contemplating the wonders of the night: the vast, borderless skyscape that appears only after the setting of the sun.
This is the first nature psalm. God has revealed himself to us through His creation (Romans 1:20). His marvelous works stir our spirits to seek Him and to exalt His marvelous wisdom and power. David instructed the director of music in the congregation to accompany this praise hymn with the gitteth, a harp-like stringed instrument from the region of Gath.
As David sang the praises of the Maker of the heavens, “he was being led to express certain higher elements of truth, of which he himself was not at the time aware.” The New Testament later revealed that this is a Messianic psalm (see Introduction to Psalms). Its embedded, extended truths are expounded in Matthew 21:15-16, 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, Ephesians 1:22, and Hebrews 2:5-9.
When we stare into the stars today, we observe God’s handiwork with far more information than David possessed. We are blessed to live in the time that Daniel prophesied, when human knowledge of the mysteries of God’s creation would be increased (Daniel 12:4). But the discoveries of modern science are not necessary to realize the two great truths that boggled David’s mind: the majestic glory of the God who sculpted the skies, and the unfathomable fact that He would care so much for us. This is, Honor God the Creator and Acknowledge His Exaltation of Man, 8:1-9.
Consider God’s Majestic Name. David began this psalm by magnifying the exalted name of the Lord. In Old Testament times, names represented character. Names were carefully selected, and they were often changed—even in adulthood—when people’s lives were not accurately reflected in their given names. One of the ways God has revealed Himself is through His names. David exclaimed that the name of the Lord was excellent or majestic (addir). This word means wide, large, or broad. Note how it is translated throughout the Old Testament, as… famous gallant glorious goodly lordly mighty noble principal worthy
Note this curious and significant fact: God’s name in creation is Elohim, the strong, powerful one (Genesis 1:1-2:3). It is logical that David would refer to God by this name in a psalm that exalts Him as Creator. But this is not the name David used to address God: the first Lord is Yahweh (Jehovah, Greek), God’s personal name. Why is this significant? Practically speaking, what does it mean to us?
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 48 First, we know the Creator of the universe personally: He has told us His name (Exodus 3:13-16). He is not a distant God far off in outer space somewhere, a God who is unknown and aloof to humans. He has introduced Himself to us and desires a relationship with us.
Second, the mighty Creator of the universe offers a covenant with us. He longs to be our Redeemer. Yahweh (Jehovah) is God’s covenant name: Yahweh is the God who makes and keeps His covenant with His people. We have a relationship with Him through His covenant.
Third, we can get His attention. David began this psalm by simply uttering, “O Lord.” Jesus made our approach to God even more personal. He taught us to address God as, “Our Father” (Matthew. 6:9). Through the pen of Paul, the Holy Spirit instructs us to cry out to God with the term “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). How blessed we are to live on this side of Calvary and to possess God’s completed revelation to humanity! The Jews under the Old Covenant knew God as Yahweh (Jehovah), but we under the New Covenant know Him more intimately. We can call Him Father.
The Lord (Jehovah) is our Lord (Adon, also Adonai). This name means master or ruler. It emphasizes God’s ownership of us and His sovereign authority over us. All who truly acknowledge God as Adonai serve Him and obey Him. We live under His ownership and authority. In return, He protects and provides for us. a. His name—power and glory—is revealed in all the earth (v. 1). As the master of His creation, the name of the Lord is excellent and majestic in every corner of the earth. Although the heathen nations of the world did not and still may not know the name Yahweh or Jehovah, creation’s order and beauty reveal Him. Natural or general revelation—the revelation of God through His creation—extends to every individual. Every person senses in his or her heart that there is a God who created the universe and is the master of it. Multitudes ignore or deny that voice, but it does not change the fact that every individual senses it (Romans 1:19-25). God longs for all people to know that He—Yahweh—is the only true and living God who is most high above all (Psalm 83:18). b. His glory is above the heavens (v. 1). The wording of this phrase is very significant. What does it mean? “God’s glory, the shining greatness of his character, cannot be contained by creation. His glory exceeds the heights of creation. The heavens and earth can only partially express his excellence because the Creator remains far greater than what he creates.” This phrase also teaches another fact: above everything that we can see—above the created heavens and earth—is the glorious throne of God. God’s glory is seen in the creation, but it flows from His throne which sits above the heavens. It is there at the throne of God where His glory and holiness are unceasingly praised by angels (Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 6:1- 3). c. His strength is seen in His choice of the weak (children) to serve Him (v. 2). A fascinating truth is revealed about the glorious God of creation: He has chosen to respond to His enemies through the praise
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 49 of children. What a wonderful truth: when God seeks to silence His foes, He does not always turn to the educated, deep-thinking theologians to explain all the deep truths of Scripture! It is not necessary for God to turn to the trained, Bible-believing scientists to skillfully refute the false claims of this unbelieving world. God sometimes defeats His critics with the simple praise of children who are not yet old enough to reject the revelation that God has placed in their young hearts. Jesus cited this verse when the Pharisees protested the praise of children in the temple: “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (Matthew 21:15-16).
Lesson Notes: We must become like children before we can enter the kingdom of heaven—humble and ever ready to learn from the world round about us (Matthew 18:2-3). When we look at creation and receive the light God gives through His creation, God will give us more light. Somehow and someway, He will send the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to us so that we might believe in Him. And when we humble ourselves in childlike faith and believe the gospel, we will live eternally in the kingdom of heaven.
Consider God’s care for us (the human race). God loves people. This glorious truth prompted David to exalt the majestic name of the Lord. He was amazed as he pondered God’s passion for humans and the grace He has extended to us. a. Consider the majestic heavens above (v. 3). As David gazed into the night sky, he became lost in the majestic beauty and glory of the heavens—revealing just how great God is. David did not know all that we today know about what is out there, but as he contemplated the heavenly bodies that light the night, he was amazed that it is all the work of God’s fingers. Meditating on this verse yields three fascinating thoughts:
First, the setting of the stars in place by God’s fingers. This is what gripped the heart of David. His words paint a vivid image: each of the heavenly bodies is grasped like a ball in the clutch of God’s hand and purposely placed in the precise spot of His choosing. Ordained (kuwn) is translated as set in place. Today, we know that God has created all matter and energy and the laws that cause both to interact and bring the stars and planets into being. In His infinite knowledge and wisdom He has ordained—set in place—the trillions of stars and planets scattered throughout the universe.
People often speak of God flinging the stars into space. But that is not the way it happened. The Lord decorated the sky like a woman carefully decorating her home. Each piece is orderly and purposely placed according to His good pleasure. Like an engineer carefully fitting together the pieces of a complicated machine, the Creator meticulously created the laws that position each star in space and that contribute to the operation of the universe.
Second, the sculpting of the stars by God’s fingers. Like a potter forming his clay, the Lord shaped and molded the planets, stars, and meteors. Imagine every crater and canyon as the impression of God’s fingers. Ordained also means to form or fashion. It is used of framing words with the mouth to pronounce them (Judges 12:6) and of the Lord’s fashioning of a baby within the womb (Job 31:15; Psalm 119:73).
Third, the simplicity of the task. Bible teacher J. Vernon McGee wrote, ‘It is interesting that when the Word speaks of salvation, it refers to the bared arm of the Lord: "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?’ (Isaiah 53:1). But when it speaks of the creation of the heavens
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 50 and the earth, it calls it His finger-work. As John Wesley put it, ‘God created the heavens and the earth and didn't half try.’ Creation was His finger-work, like the crocheting of a woman.” b. Consider how small and frail we are—compared to the vastness of space—yet God cares for us (v. 4). David asked this question of the Lord: “What is man that You would even give him a thought, much less care enough about him to come to him and help him?” Note the word visit (paqad). “The basic meaning is to exercise oversight over a subordinate, either in the form of inspecting or of taking action to cause a considerable change in the circumstances of the subordinate…”
What David could see with his naked eye was enough to stir him to rejoice over God’s care for people. Today, when we know so much more about the universe, how much more overwhelmed we should be that the one who is above the heavens should give us a thought, much less give His Son for us.
We know that in one second a beam of light travels 186,000 miles, which is about seven times around the earth. It takes eight minutes for that beam to go from the sun to the earth. In a year the same beam travels almost six trillion miles. Scientists call this a ‘light-year.’ Eight billion light-years from earth is halfway to the edge of the known universe. Within the universe there are a hundred billion galaxies, each with a hundred billion stars, on the average. In all the galaxies, there are perhaps as many planets as stars, ten billion trillion. These statistics take us beyond human comprehension.”
Lesson Notes: Think of it: we are less than tiny dots on the face of the universe. In proportion to God’s vast creation, every one of us is smaller than a single grain of sand on the shore. But God loves us! Of all His creation—what we can see and the myriads of galaxies that are beyond even our most advanced instruments—we have been specially selected to be the recipients of God’s favor and care. Of the trillions and trillions of stars in the heavens, we are merely specks on one star, yet we have been singled out to know God and to be the objects of His great, immeasurable love (Ephesians 3:18-19).
David’s questions “are poetic devices to evoke a sense of awe and place a proper perspective on one’s self-worth.” He questions God for our benefit. Many people struggle with a poor self-image. The purpose of this psalm is to teach just how important we are to God, how valuable we are to Him. He planned a wonderful life for you (Jeremiah 1:5). He carefully formed you according to His specifications. Those physical attributes you so despise and would change if you could were carefully programmed into your DNA by a loving Creator who delights in your uniqueness (Psalm 139:13-16). As you developed and grew before birth, those characteristics were sculpted by the finger of God! You are not just another copy that has been stamped by a common mold. You are an individual masterpiece, adored and treasured by the one who so lovingly crafted you.
Not only that, but He continues to keep a careful watch over you. The verbs in verse 4 are in the imperfect tense, which denotes continuous action. God knows every detail about your life. He even keeps count of your hairs, a constantly changing number (Matthew 10:30). He is aware of everything that happens in your life. He knows every burden, problem, and heartache you face. He weeps when you weep; He rejoices when you rejoice. He is constantly working everything in your life for your good (Romans 8:28). Behind the scenes, your loving Heavenly Father is there.
But most of all, He visited us personally. He gave us His Son, who came to earth in order that He could “cause a considerable change in [our] circumstances.” He became one of us in order to take our place on Calvary’s cross, to receive upon Himself the punishment for sin. Because of that, we can have abundant life and a glorious, eternal future. Oh, how the great God and Creator loves us!
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 51 Consider our exalted position over creation. David moved from contemplating God’s care for humans to the confidence the Lord has invested in humans. God has given mankind the greatest assignment: the responsibility of overseeing and caring for His creation. What elevates this task to such an important position?
The earth is God’s gift to His Son. All things were created for Him (Colossians 1:16). God has promised His Son the earth as His inheritance (Psalm 2:8). He will one day have everlasting dominion over all creation (Psalm 72:8; Daniel 7:14). This is Christ’s reward for submitting to the Father’s will in His incarnation and crucifixion (Philippians 2:5-11). God has committed the care of His Son’s inheritance to us—what a privilege! a. God made man a little lower than the angels (v. 5a). Translations and commentators differ as to whom specifically man is compared in this statement. The Hebrew word for angels (elohim) is one of the names used to refer to God and it almost always refers to Him. But it is sometimes used of other authorities (Exodus 22:8). Many believe that God is the accurate translation here. If this is the case, David is praising God for creating man in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). This is a status afforded only to humans, and it qualifies them to rule over the rest of creation. b. God crowned man with honor: He made him ruler over God’s creation (vv. 5b-8). God delegated to man—not the holy, wiser, mightier angels—authority over creation. This is the high honor he has bestowed upon us, the crown that encircles the human head. Additionally, God has assigned angels to serve His people here on earth (Hebrews 1:14). All earthly creatures are under the dominion of man (vv. 7-8; Genesis 1:26-28).
Lesson Notes: We must accept seriously our responsibility as co-regents of God’s creation. As Christian believers, we must be biblically balanced in our stewardship of the earth and its resources. A segment of society takes an extreme position in environmental concerns, failing to recognize that God has given us the earth to meet our needs. Others swing to the opposite extreme and carelessly abuse the earth and its resources. God has given us the earth and its creatures to sustain our lives. We are to use its resources for our needs, but we must be good stewards of what God has committed to our authority and care.
Consider God’s purpose: That we acknowledge Him as Lord (our Lord) and praise His Name. David concluded this psalm exactly as he began it (v. 1). He sings out the praises of the Lord’s majestic name, sings louder and in a higher key than before. When we consider God’s great love for us and how great He is, we join the chorus in exalting His great and glorious name.
Lesson Notes: God’s great purpose for creation and man’s position in creation is clearly seen in this passage: man’s former perfection, glory, and authority will be restored by Christ. The New Testament completes the picture. God created man and gave him dominion over the earth. Man fell and lost his glory. Jesus came and redeemed both fallen humanity and the creation. And, someday in the future, He will restore man to his former glory, and He will reign for eternity as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 52 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 53 September Week 1
Praise the Lord for His Triumph Over All Who Trouble You
I will praise You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to Your Name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: To see that our confidence in the future comes from looking to what God has done for us in the past.
Many studies have been conducted to determine the power of praise on people. Positive words have been proven to have a great impact in the home and in the workplace. Some studies, however, have produced conflicting information. Experts have concluded that too much praise produces arrogance, laziness, and fear in children.
While we cannot be sure how much praise is too much for us to receive, there is no question about the power found in our praising the Lord. Previous psalms teach the power found in pouring our hearts out to the Lord in prayer. Psalm 9 teaches the power of exalting God for who He is and for what He has done for us. David is seen erupting in wholehearted praise to the Lord even while he is in the midst of battling fierce enemies, enemies that had dragged him to the door of death.
The enemies in this psalm are seen from three perspectives: • Personal—David viewed the individuals who were attacking him. • National—David viewed the nations that rose up against Israel. • Eschatological (end times)—David viewed the wicked as the enemies of God and His sovereign purposes, as enemies who had launched a never-ending assault on God, His righteousness, and His truth. At the end of time, God will triumph over all these enemies.
David also wrote from three perspectives of time: • He considered the faithfulness of God in the past. • He considered the foes facing Israel in the present. • He considered the final fulfillment of this psalm in the future.
The specific occasion of the ninth psalm is unknown. Some commentators speculate that the term muthlabben (“death of the son” or “to die for the son”) may give insight to its historical setting. Most scholars think this was the title of an existing song, and David was ordering the director of music to perform the psalm to its tune. Some speculate that this was another song composed by David, perhaps at Absalom’s death (2 Sa. 18:33). Hebrew tradition claimed it to be a song celebrating the slaying of Goliath. This is, Praise the Lord for His Triumph Over All Who Trouble You (All the Wicked), 9:1-20.
Praise the Lord with all your heart. Nothing less than whole-hearted praise is worthy of the Lord. Here, at the very beginning, David declares his purpose for this psalm: it is a praise song to the Lord. The Hebrews viewed the heart as the seat of thought. David fully engaged his mind in his worship. His meditation on God’s faithfulness, righteousness, and power produced eight reasons why the Lord deserves our total praise.
By passionately praising the Lord at a very difficult time in his life, David provides a powerful example for us. His enemies were in furious pursuit of him, so much so that he felt he stood at the very door of Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 54 death (v. 13). Yet, in the midst of life-threatening danger, David focused his mind on God. When he meditated on the Lord rather than his problems, his heavy heart overflowed with praise. In so doing, he teaches an important lesson: in our most perilous trials, we should take our eyes off of our problems and fix them on the Lord. a. Because of God’s marvelous works down through the ages (v. 1). Whenever trouble surrounds us, we should take a stroll through the past. Every one of us can rehearse his or her personal history and testify to God’s faithfulness. Time and again, when we have asked Him to meet some need, we have witnessed the marvelous works of God in our lives. He met our need. Furthermore, world history records that God has time and again performed awesome feats for His beloved people. His Holy Word is a divine record of His miraculous deeds. When we open our Bibles our eyes behold amazing things (Psalm 119:18). We thrill at the parting of the Red Sea, the slaying of Goliath, the fire on Elijah’s altar, the triumph of the faithful Hebrew young men in the fiery furnace, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, the miracles of Jesus, the signs of the apostles…the list goes on and on and is lengthened by the experiences of God’s dear children today. We must not keep silent about God’s wondrous works in our lives. Like David, we must dedicate ourselves to spreading the supernatural wonders of our omnipotent God, to declaring His amazing deeds. b. Because of God’s wonderful name: He is the “Most High” (v. 2). Trouble is like a dam that blocks the joy of the Lord from flowing through us. But when we meditate on who God is, unspeakable joy breaks through and floods our souls. David was in great danger: he stood at the very gates of death (v. 13). But he was determined to rejoice in God. Why? Because he understood who God is, and his understanding stirred him to praise the name of the most High (Elyon). This name expresses the unshakeable truth that God is supreme, that He is over all. Everybody and everything is inferior to Him… every enemy every liar, deceiver, slanderer, and destroyer every imfirmitiy, sickness, and destroyer every family problem every financial struggle every personal weakness every temptation every demonic force, including Satan himself even death
God is greater than any trouble or problem we face. Note this: David’s joy was not in the victory he had been given, but in the God who had given him the victory. The teaching of these two verses is important: we are to testify of God’s marvelous works, but we are to celebrate God Himself. “We do not worship the works; we worship the Worker.” “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth” (Psalm 83:18). c. Because God turns back and overthrows those (all enemies) who cause you trouble (v. 3). Remembering God’s wondrous works in the past produced strong faith in David for the present. He did not petition God to turn back his enemies; in faith he declared that his foes would retreat when God showed up and faced them down on his behalf. Picture David’s enemies charging him at full speed with their weapons drawn. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, our warrior God appears and steps into their path. They drop their weapons, turn, and flee as fast as they can in terror. This is the scene David describes in this verse. With Him before us, behind us, and beside us, we can do everything our Lord has commanded of us (Phil. 4:13). We can even fulfill the Great Commission—carry the gospel to our neighbors and to the world—because we do not go alone (Matthew 28:20). d. Because God upholds your right and cause (v. 4). We can be assured that God is on our side only when we are on His. The NASB and ESV offer this translation of the first statement of this verse: “For you have maintained my just cause.” David was confident that he had conducted himself righteously, in full obedience to God’s commandments. He also acknowledged that God had always acted consistently Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 55 with His own character. First, the Lord has always sat on His throne; He has never shirked His duty as judge of the universe. He never vacates the bench of divine justice. He never fails to rule on any case. Second, the Lord has always vindicated the righteous and pronounced judgment on the wicked. David had witnessed this in his own life and experience. He knew that God’s verdict is always right, that no cases are ever appealed in God’s courtroom. His judgments are always just and righteous. e. Because God rules and judges righteously (vv. 5-6). Because He rules and judges righteously, God has rebuked the heathen, the nations that have risen up against Him and His people. He has destroyed the wicked. He has blotted out their name, erased them from the face of the earth. Consider the civilizations of ancient history that rose up against His people. Where are the Philistines? Where are the Assyrians? Where are the Babylonians? They are perished, gone, ground into the dust of the earth by the feet of the Lord Jehovah, the righteous and faithful God of Israel’s covenant. Archaeologists occasionally uncover relics of these civilizations. Long forgotten by earth’s inhabitants, they are no more. Other governments known by other names now occupy the land that ancient, oppressive nations once inhabited upon the earth. f. Because God reigns forever: In contrast to the nations, He has established His rule forever (v. 7). Nations come and go. Governments rise and fall. Kings and rulers live and die. The only constant on every single page of world history is God. History is His story. Endure (yashab) means to sit down and remain seated. The Lord was on the throne before the earth ever existed. He has remained seated on His throne for every moment of every day of every century of history. He will be on the throne when this earth and the heavens are ultimately destroyed by fire (2 Pe. 3:10). Throughout eternity, He will rule over a new earth and heaven, a universe where sin and unrighteousness will never be known, inhabited exclusively by all who have been redeemed (2 Pe. 3:14; Revelation 21:1-5). g. Because God will judge the world and govern the people with justice (fairly and righteously) (v. 8). We can rest assured that, unfailingly and without exception, God will execute justice on the world (tebel)—the globe itself, including the atmosphere and heavens. There is not a spot on the face of the earth where God’s justice will not ultimately prevail. Minister judgment (diyn) literally means to sail direct or follow a straight course. God will never veer or deviate from fairly judging the world’s people (leowm)—people groups, communities, tribes, nations.
The New Testament teaches us that this verse is referring to God’s future, final day of judgment. Paul cited it in his sermon to the superstitious people of Athens (Ac. 17:31). h. Because God is a refuge in the time of trouble (vv. 9-10). God not only sees and will judge the wicked, but He also sees and will personally care for their victims, those who are oppressed by the wicked (v. 9). He sees the suffering of His sheep, and He hears their desperate cries. The Lord is their refuge (misgob); that is, their shelter, fortress, stronghold, high tower. “In the metaphor here, when invading armies ravage the land, the oppressed flee to the Lord, their stronghold.”
God’s people know Him by His personal, covenant name, the great name Yahweh (Jehovah) or Lord (v. 10). The godly trust (batach)—feel safe and secure—because they know His name and all that it means. Know (yada) does not mean to know intellectually or to be aware of. It means to know personally, to know intimately, to know by experience. We know the Lord’s record of faithfulness: He has never—not one time in history—forsaken His people. When we seek Him, He will be found. When we inquire of Him, He will answer us. When we flee to Him for refuge, He will shelter us. When we depend on Him, He will provide for us. When we need Him, He will be there.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 56 As we experience more and more trouble, our experience with the Lord increases, and, therefore, our trust in Him increases. “The better God is known the more he is trusted. Those who know him to be a God of infinite wisdom will trust him further than they can see him (Job 35:14); those who know him to be a God of almighty power will trust him when creature-confidences fail and they have nothing else to trust to (2 Chronicles 20:12); and those who know him to be a God of infinite grace and goodness will trust him though he slay them, Job 13:15.”
When we persevere through the trials of life, we learn by experience the faithful character of God. This strengthens our hope as we face the future. As Scripture says above, God demonstrated His love for us by giving His Son for our sins when we were His enemies. How much more will He be faithful to us as His redeemed, dear children (Romans 8:32-39)! This is the source of our security. This is what it means to trust Him.
Lesson Notes: Meditate fully on every morsel of truth in this passage. It reveals much about God. How can we keep from singing His praise when we ponder His uncompromising commitment to His character and His unfailing faithfulness to us? We—all believers—are the recipients of His covenant of grace.
As we walk throughout life, we can depend on God in every circumstance of every day. Remember, God has not promised that we will never face trials and trouble. In fact, He warns us that, when we live in full obedience to Him, we can expect problems and persecution. But God promises us these wonderful resources: ⇒First, God promises His steadfast presence ⇒Second, God promises His superceding power ⇒Third, God promises His sufficient grace
Challenge others to praise the Lord. David, as the leader of his nation, called the people of Israel to sing forth the praises of the Lord. They knew the Lord and benefited from a relationship with Him. Throughout their history, God had done wondrous things for their nation. The Lord had even dwelled in their midst in Zion (Jerusalem). This is where the Ark of the Covenant, the very symbol of His presence rested. Zion was His city, the place where His temple would later be built.
People (am) refers to the people of Israel. This word is used of people who are united by some common tie: members of the same family, community, or nation, or are sharers of the same privileges. It stands in contrast to the nations or peoples of the world (v. 8). David is decreeing that the amazing works of the Lord are to be constantly remembered and celebrated among the Hebrews. Songs of praise to the Lord should be continuously sung throughout the land.
Thought 2. Through the blood of the New Covenant, the church—the blessed bride of Christ—is also the recipient of God’s blessing, protection, and justice. Note the teaching of Heb. 12:22-24:“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Heb. 12:22-24).
Jesus warned that the church would be persecuted (John 15:18-20). Every day across the earth, fellow believers lay down their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ. Their blood cries out to the Lord for justice (Revelation 6:9-11). When the last martyr has been slain, Jesus Christ will return not only to avenge Israel, but also to destroy all those who persecuted the church. Their eternal verdict will be pronounced individually at the Great White Throne Judgment. All their violent sins will be read before the Lord, and Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 57 they will be justly and appropriately sentenced to eternal damnation according to their deeds (Re. 20:11- 15).
Pray for the Lord’s mercy and deliverance. David transitioned from declaring God’s praise to delivering his petition to the Lord. He asked the Lord to look upon him and consider the threats of his enemies. As he lifted up God’s faithfulness and righteous character, he was confident that God would lift him up from his current crisis. He beseeched the Lord to show him mercy—to stoop down and help him when he could not help himself. a. Ask Him to deliver you from persecution and death (v. 13). b. The reason: That you may proclaim God’s praises and rejoice in your salvation (v. 14).
Declare the truth of God’s justice. After petitioning God to intervene in his current crisis, David returned to praising the unchanging character of the Lord. Again, he emphasized God’s faithfulness to himself and His people. As in the past, the Lord will continue to act in righteousness. Note four great facts about the justice of God: a. Fact 1—the nations reap what they sow (suffer retribution), the very evil they inflict on others (v. 15). b. Fact 2—people came to know the Lord by His acts of justice: He causes the wicked to trap themselves in their own evil (v. 16). c. Fact 3—the destiny of the wicked and of the nations that forget God is death (the grave, hell) (vv. 17). d. Fact 4—the needy and afflicted will have their hope fulfilled: God will not forget them (v. 18).
Cry out for God’s justice and judgment to be executed. Although David understood that God would judge the ungodly and wicked in the future, He called upon the Lord to intervene in the present. He longed for the Lord to judge evildoers immediately, to stop them before they oppressed and destroyed any other innocent victim. a. Cry 1: That man not triumph (v. 19). b. Cry 2: That the people tremble in fear (v. 20). c. Cry 3: That the people know their frailty (v. 20).
Lesson Notes: We should rest in the justice of God and know that the day will come when He will judge all evildoers. At the same time, however, we should pray for God to intervene in the world today and stop the wickedness that often seems to prevail on earth. We have a responsibility to withstand evil and, when we have done all we can to withstand it, to continue to stand against it (Ephesians 6:13). It is not enough to simply assign all judgment to God and then sit back and allow evil to triumph. We must pray and work and fight to overcome the evil that is so prevalent in our world. We must not forget that we are warriors in the army of the Lord. We should daily clothe ourselves in the armor of God and march into battle against Satan’s forces.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 58 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 59
September Week 2
How to Deal with God’s Silence and Delayed Justice Have Faith in God
I will praise You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to Your Name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: That believers will not think it strange that sometimes God appears to be silent and not answering our prayers.
“Where are the police?” is the cry when the lawless ravage communities and cities throughout the world. Sadly, even when catastrophic disasters occur, lawless mobs steal from the victims, loot shops and other businesses, and destroy property.
Often, when we see the horrific acts of evildoers upon innocent people, we wonder, “Where is God? Why doesn’t He do something? Why does He allow this to continue?”
These questions are asked by David in the tenth psalm. Some scholars believe Psalms 9 and 10 were originally one song. The two share a partial acrostic pattern—each verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
David’s questions remain unanswered at the end of the psalm, as they do today. Psalm 10 teaches us how to respond to the fact that in “the present age, injustice is rampant.” This is, How to Deal with God’s Silence and Delayed Justice, 10:1-18.
A basic question of life: Why does God seem so far off in times of trouble (evil and wickedness). Psalm 10 is the second of nine psalms in which the psalmists ask God, “Why?” (Psalm 2, 22, 42, 43, 44, 74, 80, 88). “The question is a bold expression of the true feelings of oppressed people who cry out for help.”
David’s questions are based on appearances or how things seem to be: it appears that God is ignoring the wickedness taking place within his nation. It appears that the Lord is…
• idly standing rather than acting • far off—intentionally distancing Himself from the oppressive activity of the wicked • hiding—veiling Himself so He cannot be found in the midst of trouble
Lesson Notes: It is not always wrong to question the Lord. In fact, God invites us to question Him—to ask Him for wisdom to understand the trouble we face in our lives and in our world (James 1:5). However, we are commanded to always ask in faith, never in doubt (James 1:6). Any question that is not of faith—a question that challenges whether God is acting consistently with His character and His Word—is a sinful question (Romans 14:23b). As we question God, we must remember two truths:
First, things are not always as they appear. It may appear that God is doing nothing to help us. It may appear that He has distanced Himself from us, that He is hiding from us and does not care. We do not, and
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 60 cannot, see everything that is going on around us and above us. We do not have all the information as to what God is doing. Just because we cannot see Him at work does not mean that God is doing nothing.
Second, God is not accountable to us. He is God, and we are not. We are the creatures, not the Creator. God is greater, exceedingly wiser, and far more powerful than we are; therefore, He is not obligated to explain anything to us. This was God’s response to Job, the man faced with unprecedented trouble and sorrow (Jb. 38-41). He is wise and powerful far beyond our understanding. When He chooses to be silent, we must trust Him and the promises and teachings of His Word. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The cause of trouble and evil in the world: The wicked. God is sometimes blamed for the trouble in the world. Some people become upset, even bitter at God because He did not prevent some tragedy from occurring to them or a loved one. But God is not responsible for the rampant evil and injustice that frequently seems to prevail. Wicked people—people who follow the impulses of their fallen nature and the influence of satanic forces—are the source of violence and oppression. Note eight truths that summarize the character and conduct of evildoers: a. The wicked pursue and take advantage of the weak (poor) (v. 2).
Pride was the original sin against the Lord. Lucifer (Satan), the highest archangel created by God, had a deep desire to exalt himself over God (see outline and note Isaiah 14:3-23, esp. 12-14 for more discussion). Pride is first on God’s list of abominations or sins that He passionately hates (Pr. 6:16-19). Pride is the root of most sins against other people. The wicked have inflated opinions of themselves, and they do whatever is necessary to satisfy themselves at the expense of others. Plotting and scheming to find ways to exploit other people, they especially prey on those who are weaker than they, those who do not have the resources to defend themselves. David prayed that the wicked would be caught in their own schemes, that the evil they planned for others would come upon them. b. The wicked brag about their lustful cravings: They praise the greedy and denounce the Lord (v. 3).
People who exploit others are often proud of their selfish, sinful desires, and shamelessly boast of their wicked deeds. They admire and look up to those whose hearts are greedy, just like theirs. They salute and study the ways of those who are most successful in taking what belongs to others for themselves. They glory in the very activities the Lord deeply despises. c. The wicked are prideful and do not seek the Lord: They give no thought or consideration to God (v. 4).
Pride is not only exalting self above God and His commands; it is also completely ignoring God, acting as if He does not exist. Every person knows within himself or herself that there is a God (Romans 1:19). According to the Bible, an honest atheist does not exist: every individual who denies the existence of God lies against what God has revealed to him or her deep within. The sin of the wicked is that they do not respond to that revelation; they do not seek to know the God who has been revealed within the inner recesses of their hearts. There is no room for God in their lives, so, as a result, they reach the full potential of their sinfulness. They become wicked abusers of others.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 61 d. The wicked seem to succeed despite being haughty & disobeying God’s commandments: They sneer at any who get in their way (v. 5).
Scholars have disagreed for centuries over the meaning of the word translated in the KJV as grievous (yachilu). Other reliable versions translate it as prosper. The point of the verse is this: the wicked man is firm in his pride and disregard for God and His commands. Thy judgments (mishpat) may refer to God’s divine laws that govern the human race, which are overlooked by the wicked. Or it may refer to God’s justice upon the wicked man, which he seemingly never sees. It appears that he continues unchecked in his evil ways and sneers in contempt upon all who try to stand up to him. e. The wicked are self-sufficient: They feel happy and secure as though they will be forever trouble- free (v. 6).
The wicked are confident in their continued success. They are convinced that they cannot be brought down. “In his prosperity the wicked man presumptuously takes to himself the privileges of the righteous. God has promised that they will not be moved (15:5; 16:8; 21:7; 62:2; 112:6).” The wicked are snared by a false sense of security, which is another manifestation of their pride. f. The wicked have mouths that are full of cursing, lies, and threats—that plot trouble and evil (v. 7). The blackness of the wicked man’s heart spews out of his mouth (Luke 6:45). Five evils that he arrogantly and contemptuously voices are listed: o Cursing (alah)—he swears oaths or makes promises he has no intention of keeping. o Deceit (mirmah)—craftiness, guile, treachery; this is the word used of Jacob’s swindling of his brother (Genesis 27:35), and of the Antichrist’s dishonest dealings (Daniel 8:25; 11:23). o Fraud (toke)—threats and intimidation used to force others to give him his way; oppression. o Mischief (amal)—trouble and grievous toil directed at others. o Vanity or evil (aven)—“deceptive speaking which leads to sorrow.” g. The wicked are lawless (vv. 8-10). David used two familiar images to depict the threat of evildoers. First, they are like a lion waiting to pounce upon its prey (vv. 8-9a). They sit in the shadows where they wait to seize innocent victims in their mighty jaws and drag them back to their dens where they will secretly devour them. Spying on the helpless from behind the bushes, they patiently wait until they are most vulnerable to attack.
Second, they are like hunters (v. 9b). They spread their nets, bait them, disguise them, and wait for the innocent to fall into them. Picture all the dishonest financial schemes directed toward the naïve, greedy, and desperate in our world today. Picture the attempts of the substance industries—tobacco, alcohol, illegal drug dealing—to trap people by causing them to become addicted to their harmful products. Picture the pornography and sex industries, which prey upon sinful lust and upon those involved in unfulfilling relationships. Picture the deception of materialism and the advertising industry. Again and again, the weak fall into their traps (v. 10). h. The wicked think that God will overlook their sin—that God will not hold them accountable (v. 11). Satan is the master of deception, and like the naïve who fall for the wicked man’s schemes, the wicked man himself has fallen into Satan’s snare. Because he does not experience immediate retribution, he thinks that God has overlooked his evil deeds and is not going to hold him accountable. “He mistakes God’s patience with evil for God’s lack of interest in justice and the innocent victims.” God’s warnings of judgment are meaningless to him because they are not instantly carried out. This was the trick Satan used against Eve: he tempted her to ignore God’s threat of judgment (Genesis 3:3-4).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 62 Further, the wicked man thinks he can conceal his evil deeds from God, that God will not see Him. He proudly overlooks God’s omniscience, the fact that He sees and knows all (Pr. 15:3; Jb. 34:21; Jer. 16:17).
Lesson Notes: Pride is prone to rear its ugly head even within the hearts of believers. Sinful attitudes that characterize those who have plunged into the depths of wickedness can creep into the lives of believers as well. Look into the mirror of this passage and see if your reflection appears in any of these verses (Ja. 1:23-25). Examine yourself for…
selfishness arrogance sense of superiority over others taking advantage of others boasting of things that displease the Lord ignoring the presence of God acting as if God does not see you a false sense of security deceptive, dishonest speech believing you will get by with sin admiring the rich who have prospered through sinful means
The answer to the trouble and evil on earth. It is easy and very natural for us as believers to become frustrated at the success of evildoers and the plight of the oppressed. What are we to do? How can we handle the frustration of the unanswered question of God’s silence and delayed justice? a. Call on God (v. 12). David abruptly transitioned from discussing the ways of the wicked to directly addressing God. He called upon the Lord to intervene immediately, to stop the wicked in their tracks, and to liberate the persecuted from their bondage. First, He cried out for God to arise, to no longer sit passively by, but to spring to action. Second, he asked the Lord to lift up [His] hand against the wicked. This means to challenge or mount an opposition against (2 Sam. 20:21; 1 Ki. 11:26-27; Psalm 106:26). b. Express your inability to understand evil: Why the wicked revile God and do not believe God will hold them accountable (v. 13). It is difficult for believers to fathom how people can ignore God and scoff at His warning of judgment. A true believer, such as David, knows the Lord, the true and living God; therefore, it is beyond comprehension that people… • boldly laugh in the face of God • mock Him and His power • challenge His righteous character and His commitment to justice • view His warnings of judgment as empty threats. c. Declare your faith in God (v. 14). David affirmed His confidence in what he knew to be true of God. The brash, shameless persistence of the wicked had not shaken his faith. To the contrary, it prompted him to declare four facts about God in relation to the wicked and their victims. Note that David is not rising up in defense of God—the Lord does not need men to defend Him—but in response to his own questions (v. 1, 13). ▪ God does see every effort of evildoers. Not one thought, word, or deed escapes His knowledge. He beholds (nabat)—looks intently upon and carefully regards—every sin the wicked commit against others. ▪ God does raise His hand in retribution against the wicked. ▪ God can be trusted to vindicate the poor and helpless and to judge their oppressors. He hears their cries. He knows their grief. He feels their pain. ▪ God does rise to the defense of the fatherless. Orphans were commonly abused by the wicked because they had nobody to defend them. They, along with widows, were easy prey for oppressors. Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 63 d. Call on God to destroy the power of the wicked (v. 15). A person who has a broken arm is powerless to strike another. David’s call for God to break the arm of the wicked man was a call to render him powerless so that he could not continue to persecute others. He wanted God to examine every single deed the wicked man had committed against others, to hold him accountable and to judge him for every evil inflicted until there was nothing left on his account to further judge. David wanted God to prove to the wicked man that not one offense had escaped His attention. e. Proclaim the eternal rule and justice of God: The nations will be excluded from His promised land (v. 16). With unshaken confidence, David declared that God is the Supreme Ruler of the earth. He will never be overthrown. He will reign throughout eternity. Every acre of the earth belongs to Him: it is his land. All who refuse to acknowledge Him will be erased from the face of the earth (9:5, 17).
Remember, the emphasis of this psalm is on evildoers within the nation of Israel. “By the heathen he does not mean foreigners, and such as did not belong to the race of Abraham according to the flesh, but hypocrites, who falsely boasted that they belonged to the people of God, just as at this day many, who are Christians only in name, occupy a place in the bosom of the Church.” They will be removed from the promised land, the land God deeded to Abraham and his descendants. f. Confess your confidence in the Lord (vv. 17-18). David knew the Lord, and he was sure that God had heard (shama)—listened attentively to and heeded—the cry of the afflicted for justice (v. 17a). He would lift them from their depression, strengthen them, and mend their broken hearts (v. 17b). He would bend His ear to hear their cry of pain and every call for justice (v. 17c).
David concludes this psalm with a vision of the future when God finally judges the wicked and eternally establishes righteousness upon the earth (v. 18). The orphans and those crushed beneath the weight of oppression will receive the justice for which they have so desperately longed. God will not allow the wicked to continue forever; their reign of terror will one day come to an eternal end.
The answer to the frustrating question of God’s silence and delayed justice is not an explanation, but an exhortation: have faith in God. Remind yourself of His character and His promises. Review history and see where He has moved according to His schedule, not man’s. In His own time, He has intervened and destroyed evildoers. Every tyrant on earth has eventually been stopped. And, they will eternally endure the just punishment for their crimes. Remember that every case in God’s courtroom is not tried immediately. Every offender is not instantly apprehended and sentenced, but not one slips through the cracks. Every case will be ruled upon until God’s docket is eternally cleared and justice is forever done. Why? Because of who God is: He is just; He is righteous; He is the defender and friend of the weak and helpless.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 64 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 65 September Week 3
How to Survive When Society’s Foundations Crumble Trust in the Lord
If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3 (NKJV)
Lesson Aim: That believers will understand the importance of placing their sense of ultimate security in no one else but God.
The Bible records two occasions when David fled from Jerusalem: when King Saul turned against him, and when Absalom, his own son, mounted his rebellion against him. Whether this psalm was written on one of those occasions or in response to a different incident is not specified in the heading. David certainly would have faced many other threats during his time on the throne.
Psalm 11 is not a prayer. It is a faith-filled response to those who were advising him to flee Jerusalem to a place of safety. What David ultimately decided is not revealed, but his confidence in the Lord is crystal clear. His words glow with faith in God and His power to protect him. This is, How to Survive When Society’s Foundations Crumble, 11:1-7.
Take refuge in the Lord. David’s advisors were urging him to leave Jerusalem for shelter in the mountains. But note his first thought at this advice: “I trust in the Lord for protection” (NLT). Trust (chasah) means to “seek refuge” or “flee for protection.” David realized that his life was in the Lord’s hands. His confidence was not in armies, fortresses, or isolated wilderness strongholds; he relied solely on the Lord God, who had made a covenant with him.
Lesson Notes: As believers we must be unshakably grounded in the truth that our lives are ultimately in God’s hand. To trust God does not mean that we should act unwisely. We should diligently care for our bodies, and we should not take foolish risks or fail to exercise caution and good sense. The Bible teaches that wisdom can prolong our lives (Proverbs 9:11). But we should not live in fear of what could happen to us. Sadly, some of us fret over potential dangers and things that could possibly harm us: disease, accidents, natural disasters, military attacks, random acts of violence, and a host of other threats. The fact is, each of us has an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27). Every human being since Adam has eventually died. If Christ tarries His coming, we will too. But we must trust the timing and the circumstances of our deaths to God. We must not live in fear of what might be. Instead, we should live with the confidence that the Lord will protect us until He is finished using us and is ready to transfer us from these bodies to His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:17-18).
Reject the advice to flee God’s promised land and to seek human security (your mountain). David was not looking for a way to escape his problems; therefore, he was not pleased with the counsel of his advisors. He was not like a scared bird: timid, skittish, and prone to fly away whenever trouble approached. The idea of leaving Zion for the mountains did not rest well with him. a. Reject the advice to look at the attack and strength of the wicked (v. 1b-2). David’s counselors meant well and were concerned for his—and their—safety. They urged David to focus on his foes, who were preparing their weapons to attack him. Their statements suggest that David’s enemies were within the walls of Jerusalem; they were internal foes, fellow Israelites. Hiding in the darkness with their bow-
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 66 strings tautly stretched and their arrows ready to fire, these disloyal rebels were waiting for a clear shot upon the upright (yashar)—those whose hearts obeyed God’s Word.
David rebuked his advisors by repeating their words back to them. How could they suggest such a thing to him? Looking upon his enemies would require him to take his eyes off the Lord. When facing danger or opposition, he had always focused on the size of His God, not the size of his enemies (1 Sam. 17). The one who had strengthened him as a young shepherd boy to slay the lion, the bear, and the giant Philistine who defied the armies of the living God would not forsake him now. The spirit of the young man who faced down Goliath with his sling and five smooth stones and his steadfast faith in God was unaffected by those who now bent their bows in an attempt to destroy him. b. Reject the faithless who see the foundations being destroyed and feel the righteous are helpless (v. 3). David’s men panicked because they saw the foundations of their nation beginning to crumble around them. “These foundations refer to the Law and the order of society based on the Lord’s rule.” Most likely, the reasoning of David’s consultants went something like this: when the citizens of Israel rebelled against the Lord, His commandments, and His appointed king, there was nothing that could be done to prevent the fall of the nation. They should at least attempt to save their own lives and leave the nation to its inevitable ruin.
Lesson Notes: The spirit of escapism never ceases to plague faithless people. When a crisis strikes, the first impulse for many is to run. Countless people ruin their lives in an attempt to escape their problems. Thousands have become addicted to drugs and alcohol because they repeatedly turned to these harmful substances for a few moments of relief. Every year, untold multitudes take their own lives because they feel they can no longer deal with their problems. Even some professing believers commit suicide. Some people quit good jobs, move, or divorce their spouses rather than deal with the challenges that confront them.
This is not God’s will and it is not the way of those who really trust God. People who are prone to run from their problems only hide from them for a short time: eventually their problems catch up to them. They are still the same people they have always been, and unless they live in faith and persevere in the power of God, they will waste the rest of their lives running away and attempting to escape life’s troubles.
We must face our problems with faith. God does not want us to go around them but through them. He promises the grace and strength to persevere through them. When we come through the fires of affliction, we will be like precious gold—tempered, strengthened, and purified of the fleshly urges that hinder us from greater service to Him.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 67 Lesson Notes: What can the righteous do when the foundations of our nation, community, church, or home begin to crumble? Bible teacher and commentator Warren Wiersbe offers this answer: “‘Lay the foundations again!’ Each new generation must see to it that the foundations of truth and justice are solid. Samuel laid again the foundations of the covenant (1 Sam. 12), and Ezra laid again the foundations of the temple (Ezra 3). In spite of all his trials, David lived to make preparations for the building of the temple and the organization of the temple worship. During the checkered history of Judah, godly kings cleansed the land of idolatry and brought the people back to the true worship of the Lord. Christ's messages to the churches in Revelation 2-3 make it clear that local churches need constant examination to see if they're faithful to the Lord, and we need to pray for a constant reviving work of the Spirit.”
Declare your trust and confidence in the Lord. David refused to focus on the approaching threat of his foes, and chose instead to fix his eyes on the Lord. His response to the fearful counselors was to proclaim God’s faithful character and sovereignty. Note five great facts about our unchanging God: a. Fact 1: He sits on His heavenly throne—observes and examines the human race (v. 4). David reminded his advisors that the Lord sits on a higher throne than he did. Israel and her king were under the rule of heaven. The Lord’s throne was unthreatened by those who were rising up against the anointed king of His chosen nation. From His seat on high, God could see every detail of their actions against David. b. Fact 2: He examines and tests the righteous (v. 5a). When the Lord discerns a righteous heart, He purifies and strengthens it. Trieth or examines (bakhan) is used of refining metals in the fire (Jb. 23:10; Psalm 66:10). God uses opposition and crises in the lives of the righteous to purify and strengthen them. David viewed the threats of his enemies as an opportunity for him to grow and become stronger in the Lord. c. Fact 3: He hates the wicked and the violent (v. 5b). When the Lord discerns wicked hearts—hearts filled with violence—His wrath is kindled. He rises up in opposition against them and targets them for his judgment. d. Fact 4: He will judge and punish the wicked (v. 6). David used three graphic images to describe God’s judgment on the wicked:
▪ God rains down judgment upon the wicked like He did Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis19:24; Ezekiel 38:22). He drops His judgment down from heaven like snares or nets under which they are inescapably trapped. ▪ His judgment destroys the wicked like a scorching, ravaging wind. This was a familiar image in the Old Testament world. “The hot desert wind blows over the Middle East during the changes in season from spring to summer and from summer to fall. Its effects are devastating, as the beauty of vegetation changes over night into parched, withered plants (cp. Isaiah 21:1; 40:7-8; Jeremiah 4:11).” ▪ The wicked drink from the cup of God’s undiluted wrath, like drinking full-strength wine that immediately intoxicates and poisons the body (Psalm 75:8; Jeremiah 25:15-17; Revelation. 14:10). e. Fact 5: He is righteous and loves justice; consequently, He will reward the upright (v. 7).
God hates wickedness but He loves righteousness. He lifts His hand of judgment against the wicked, but He lifts His countenance or face toward the righteous (Num. 6:25-26). This is a reference to the immediate favor of God upon the righteous, but it also speaks of the eternal reward of the redeemed. In contrast to the wicked who will eternally drink the cup of God’s wrath in the inescapable lake of fire (2 Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 68 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:15), the righteous will forever dwell in the light of God’s glorious presence: “they shall see His face” (Revelation 22:4-5; Psalm 17:15).
What can the righteous do when the foundations are crumbling?
First, stop looking around and look up where God is unthreatened and securely on His throne (v. 4a).
Second, know that God sees everything that is going on; He is constantly observing and examining all men (v. 4b).
Third, expect trials and temptations and rejoice in them as an opportunity for spiritual growth (v. 5a).
Fourth, rest assured that God will eternally judge all who inflict violence on others (vv. 5b-6). Finally, continue to walk in righteousness and live in hope of God’s eternal reward for your faithfulness (v. 7).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 69 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 70 September Week 4
How to Be Secure in a Godless and Deceptive Age Cry Out to the Lord for Help
I will praise You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to Your Name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 (NLT2)
Lesson Aim: That believers will seek the Lord during times of impending and actual trouble, trusting Him to keep them from difficult circumstances or to help them to endure those trials if they come.
My dad taught us by saying to us many times, “A man’s word is his bond.” I’ve found that this is a popular saying that can be traced far back in history. Among men and women of integrity it will always be true, but, sadly, such individuals are few in number and difficult to find. Handshakes that once sealed a deal have been replaced by contracts that spell out every single detail of an agreement. Trust has, to a great degree, become a thing of the past.
David described such a time in Psalm 12. His heart was grieved by the deception that dominated people’s lives and plunged many into poverty and oppression. Its great message is this: when no human being can be trusted, God and His perfect, proven Word can. This is, How to Be Secure in a Godless and Deceptive Age, 12:1-8.
Cry out to the Lord for help. David realized that even the king was powerless to deal with the dishonesty that plagued the nation. There was nothing he nor anyone else could do about the corruption that was rampant in his society. In frustration and helplessness he turned to God, the only one who could help. a. Cry out when few remain godly and faithful (v. 1). People whose hearts are sincere toward God and others sometimes feel they are alone in this ungodly world. Abraham entreated God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah of God’s judgment if he could find ten righteous men in the city (Genesis 18:23-33). Elijah felt that he alone had remained faithful to the Lord (1 Kings 19:10). The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah all lamented the absence of godly men in their day (Isaiah 57:1; Jereremiah 5:1-2; Micah 7:2-6).
David experienced the lies of deceitful people. He desperately sought the help of the Lord because he could trust nobody else. From his perspective, godly (chasid) men had completely disappeared from Israel. This Hebrew word is from the same root as chesed, which refers to God’s steadfast love and mercy to His people. “The [godly man] is primarily a man who is faithful to the covenant in which his people stand.” Faithful (aman) describes those who can be believed. They are trustworthy, loyal, and true. This “is the reliable, faithful, conscientious man, literally one who is firm, i.e., whose word and meaning is firm, so that one can rely upon it and be certain in relation to it.” b. Cry out when everyone is lying and using flattery to deceive others (v. 2). “Empty talk, smooth talk and double talk” accurately summarized the speech of those who surrounded David. Note the words he used to describe them:
▪ Vanity (shav) is that which is useless and accomplishes nothing. It is used of the worship of idols (Jeremiah 18:15).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 71 ▪ Flattering lips belong to people who are skilled in smoothly stroking the egos of others to obtain what they want from them. Commentator Warren Wiersbe clearly defines and warns of flattery: “Flattery is not communication, it's manipulation. Even in Christian ministry it's possible to use flattery to influence people and exploit them. Flattery plays on the ego and especially influences people who want to appear important.” David was wise enough to see through the smooth, manipulative words of those around him. ▪ Double heart is literally “heart and heart.” Double-hearted people have two hearts: a false one that is slickly displayed to those they deceive, one that masks the true intentions of their actual hearts. We commonly describe such people as double-dealing, two-faced, and hypocritical. c. Cry out for the Lord to execute justice and judge all flatterers and boasters (vv. 3-4). David called upon the Lord to intervene and judge the corruption that was prevalent in his society (v. 3). Note that David does not implore God to utterly destroy the deceivers, nor does he request that God change their insincere hearts. He simply asks that God stop their tongues from speaking flattering (smooth) and proud (boastful) words.
These two-faced liars arrogantly boasted in the power of their eloquent speech and their ability to deceive people. They claimed that they would triumph through their effective use of words. Prevail (gabar) is the root of the Hebrew word used of mighty or valiant warriors. They bragged that they would achieve their dishonest objectives peacefully, without ever lifting a sword.
They shamelessly gloated in their self-sufficiency, feeling that nobody could control them (v. 4b). They boasted that they could not be silenced because they answered to no authority, and that no ruler had the power to stop them.
Lesson Notes: We must recognize that we live in a world dominated by deceit. Satan’s original tactic against the human race was deception. He slithered up to Eve’s side and lied to her about God and His commands and the outcome of her disobedience to the Lord. Jesus correctly characterized Satan as a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is the god of this world, and the world system follows his rule (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). Manipulation, lying, and deception will always be the order of the day. In our era of unprecedented mass communication, nothing can stop propaganda, manipulation, and lies. A lie can be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth in seconds via digital media. Advertising pushes the lies of the greedy through all forms of media available.
The only thing we, as believers, can do is cry out to God for help. We must ask God to protect us from the deceitful messages that bombard society every day. Realizing that we need wisdom to see through those who are dishonest, we must depend upon the power of the indwelling Spirit to help us discern whom we can and cannot trust. Sadly, we need to be skeptical even of some professed Christians with whom we interact. As in David’s time, even those who claim to know the Lord will sometimes deceive and manipulate us for their purposes. By being firmly grounded in the truth of God’s Word, we will be able recognize every destructive lie that is before us. Finally, we must use the same technology that Satan uses for evil to accomplish God’s divine purpose. Every means available should be employed to transmit the gospel and God’s truth to every corner of the earth.
Know the promise of God’s Holy Word. Here is the first occasion in Psalms when the Lord directly answered David’s cry. Noted commentator Derek Kidner adds, “We can only guess as the means by which it came. It is often conjectured that prophets were in attendance at the sanctuary to give God’s answer to a prayer as it was uttered. But it seems easier to imagine such an answer as this coming directly to the psalmist.” Regardless of how God spoke to David, the promise of the Lord brought peace to his troubled spirit. Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 72 a. He will arise to help the weak and needy (v. 5a). In previous psalms David had called upon God to arise and take action against evildoers (3:7; 7:6; 9:19; 10:12). Now, in the present situation, God assured David that He would help those who were being exploited by the double-dealing deceivers. The poor are those who are depressed, beaten down, and crushed in spirit. In this instance, it refers to those who had been financially swindled by the dishonest. The needy are those who had been left destitute, who did not have the daily provisions to merely survive. God assured David that He had heard their desperate groanings of distress. b. He will deliver them from oppressors (v. 5b). God promised to rescue the poor and needy from the deceivers, to deliver them from bondage because of those oppressors who had forced them into poverty. The NKJV better translates the last line of this verse, “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
Lesson Notes: Scripture is clear: God is the champion of the poor because they face circumstances or conditions beyond their control. Consider those who are suffering due to…
• impoverishment caused by the greed of others • insufficient income for basic necessities • discrimination because of perceived social standing • lost opportunities because of inadequate education • lack of or minimal employment resulting from a declining or failing economy • the shame and humiliation of being looked down upon, seen only as poor and needy
The heart of God is very tender toward those who are in bad situations. He expects us to love them, to come to their aid, and assist them with their needs. Moreover, He promises to abundantly bless us if we help them, and He vows to judge all who persecute them. Jesus said that those who minister to the needy minister directly to Him: “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:35-40).
Declare the certainty of God’s Holy Word and promises. David grieved over the dishonesty in society, but he proclaimed his upmost confidence in God’s promises. In a time when it seemed no man could be trusted, the Lord’s Holy Word stood perfectly sure. Unlike the word of the people of his day, what God said was completely trustworthy. Notice the contrast between the words of the double-hearted in verse 2 and the words of the Lord: a. His words are pure (v. 6). David compared God’s promises to silver that has gone through a sevenfold process of refinement. What does this mean?
First, God’s Word is unmixed with error, insincerity, and deceit. The refining process removed all impurities and other substances from the precious metal as it was subjected to the fire. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. The sevenfold process indicates that the silver was refined until absolutely no impurity remained. God’s Word is likewise perfect through and through. Every detail of God’s holy, inspired Word is clean, true, and trustworthy (Mt. 5:18).
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 73 Second, God’s Word is proven. Precious metals that had been thoroughly refined had been tested by fire. Their strength had been confirmed by the heat. Throughout the centuries God’s inspired Word has been through the fire. Those who have challenged it lie long forgotten in their graves, but the Word of God continues to stand. It has been proven by its accurate, complete fulfillment and by its endurance (Ps. 119:140, 160; 1 Pe. 1:25). b. His words keep us safe (vv. 7-8). When David arose every morning, he faced a day in which wicked men shamelessly dominated society, and, sadly, wickedness even permeated the community of faith. The heroes of the day—the very people who were honored and admired—were people who lived in excessive sin. But David was confident that God’s Word was dependable, trustworthy, and effective.
To whom does them refer (v. 7). Does it refer to the words of the Lord (v. 6)? Or does it refer to those who live in the midst of the wicked (v. 8)? Scripture is not clear, and scholars are divided on the issue. Whichever interpretation is preferred, both proclaim the same truth: God’s Word is perfect and completely trustworthy. God will, according to His promise, protect the godly who must dwell among liars and deceivers.
Lesson Notes: God’s Word warns us about the time in which we live: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self- control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (NKJV)
Ps. 12:8 exactly describes our society. “Vileness…is promoted and exalted in the media: immorality, brutality, murder, lies, drunkenness, nudity, the love of money, the abuse of authority. The things that God condemns are now a means of universal entertainment, and the entertainment industry gives awards to the people who produce these things. People boast about things they ought to be ashamed of (Philippians 3:18-19).”
We must, in response, immerse ourselves in God’s Word. God’s eternal truth will protect us from deceivers and preserve us in the midst of a wicked world. It will purify us from the world’s filthy contamination. Only by meditating in God’s Word can we be victorious over the temptations paraded constantly before us. Only by resting in God’s promises can we find the encouragement and strength to rise above the evil that pollutes our society. Only by studying God’s Word can we gain the wisdom to see through double-hearted people.
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 74 In your own words, summarize the important points from this lesson.
Respond to anything you have heard (or introduced) during the class discussion:
Life Application: (How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?)
What lesson from this Bible Study can you model and teach to others?
Additional Notes from this Lesson:
Mount Canaan Baptist Church Sunday School -- Page - 75
Commentary references and excerpts were derived from the following resources:
The Holy Bible
The Preacher’s Sermon Outline Bible
Life Application Bible Notes
Word Search Bible Study Software
Logos Bible Software
Internet Resources
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