Leader Guide

TOUGHUESTIONS Q Honest Prayers From the Psalms

LeaderLeader GuideGuide TOUGH QUESTIONS Leader Guide Welcome to Tough Questions! Each week, we’ll take a deeper look at the weekend message, examining the truth of God’s Word and discovering its impact on our lives, relationships, and the world around us.

Below you’ll see a glossary of terms you’ll find in each lesson. Unless otherwise instructed, don’t feel pressured to use every question in every section. The purpose of your group time is discussion, not working through all of the questions. Pick one or two per section, and remember to listen to the Holy Spirit as you lead your group.

MAIN POINT

An understanding and internalization of the main point should be the goal of your group time. Let each section and question build toward a deeper realization of this truth.

LEAN IN | Break the Ice

GOAL: Warm up the group and prepare for transition into a deeper conversation.

This is a bridge question to prepare the group mentally and emotionally. It is optional for the group. You are welcome to use one of these questions or come up with one that is unrelated (e.g., highs/lows).

LOOK DOWN | encourage different people

GOAL: Read and examine the Bible together.

Encourage different people to read the passage, allowing people to become more familiar with both reading and digesting the Bible. leader guide 2 LOOK OUT | Identify the relevance of God’s Word in the world

GOAL: See the relevance of the passage playing out in the world/church.

These questions should cause the group to come to an insight about a passage in the Bible as relevant facts and details in the passage are examined—which can then be seen and witnessed in reality in real-world terms.

LOOK IN | Apply God’s Word to your life

GOAL: Create space for participants to confess honestly and draw connections as they apply the meaning and implications of the passages to their lives.

WHAT IF? Kingdom Living GOAL: Give space for participants to envision a “better future” if this passage was applied in their lives. Give space to brainstorm about applications.

Leader Notes These notes will provide tips on how to steer the conversation, care for your group, and guidance for how to troubleshoot and anticipate difficult topics.

Connection Connections will provide you with transitional statements to help move your group from one section to the next.

leader guide 3 Context Context can give you insight into the background of a passage, the mentality of the author, the connection to another book of the Bible, or a cultural context that brings deeper understanding.

Commentary A verse--by-verse look at the passage for further study and insight.

Scripture from the CSB unless noted.

leader guide 4 WHYWHY ISIS LIFELIFE notnot fair?fair?

psalm 73 | week 1 main point

Ultimately, God will give everyone what they deserve. Until then, life doesn’t always seem fair, and it’s okay to share your frustrations with God. This psalm explores what it means to be near or far from God. Ultimately, “the near” will be saved, and “the far” will be destroyed (Psalm 73:27-28). Until that time, “the near” struggle with difficult feelings (like envy and hopelessness). Meanwhile, “the far” have no struggles (Psalm 73:4) and appear to be doing great, at least with material blessings. In many ways, this psalm is a complaint to God. The writer is essentially saying, “I’m not perfect, but why is my life so hard when the wicked have it so easy?” If you’ve ever felt like life isn’t fair, allow this psalm to encourage and change your heart, and make it your prayer back to God.

psalm 73 | week 1 7 Lean In break the ice leader notes:

The best relationships are based on honesty and transparency—not image management. This is true about our relationship with God. While He knows everything about us (and still loves us completely), we need to be honest with ourselves to be honest with God. To be human is to rationalize our behavior—we need to learn new habits to be honest with God about how we feel. This psalm models honest conversations with God. group questions: Consider some of your closest relationships and how they got to the point they are now. Naturally, it takes more than just time to build a great friendship. How are relationships strengthened? What are some of the things that happen between people that draw them closer together?

This psalm goes deep quickly. It doesn’t pull any punches as the psalmist shares his very real and raw emotions. Based on your experience, why do you think many people work hard to project a perfect image to others?

psalm 73 | week 1 8 Look Down Look at God’s Word leader notes:

In your time together as a group, it will be difficult to explore the fullness of this psalm so don’t make this an unrealistic expectation. Use this section to explore envy and hope. These are key characteristics of “the far” and “the near.” If you would rather explore different parts of this psalm, by all means, do so! The goal is to allow the text to speak so that you can see how it applies to today.

Ask volunteers to read Psalm 73. Have one person in the group read verses 1-14, and have a different person read verses 15-28. Do this a second time with two different people.

1 God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray.

3 For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have an easy time until they die, and their bodies are well fed.

5 They are not in trouble like others; they are not afflicted like most people.

6 Therefore, pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment.

7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. psalm 73 | week 1 9 8 They mock, and they speak maliciously; they arrogantly threaten oppression.

9 They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues strut across the earth.

10 Therefore his people turn to them and drink in their overflowing words.

11 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High know everything?”

12 Look at them—the wicked! They are always at ease, and they increase their wealth.

13 Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?

14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

15 If I had decided to say these things aloud, I would have betrayed your people.

16 When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless

17 until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny.

18 Indeed, you put them in slippery places; you make them fall into ruin.

19 How suddenly they become a desolation! They come to an end, swept away by terrors.

20 Like one waking from a dream, Lord, when arising, you will despise their image. psalm 73 | week 1 10 21 When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded,

22 I was stupid and didn’t understand; I was an unthinking animal toward you.

23 Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory.

25 Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.

27 Those far from you will certainly perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.

psalm 73 | week 1 11 leader notes:

Have each person in the group write their own definition of envy (no longer than a sentence or two). Once everyone is finished, each person should share their definition. After everyone has shared lead the group in the following questions: group questions: In our world today, where do you see people acting out of envy? Ultimately, how does envy make an impact?

Another powerful theme in this passage is hope (re-read verses 23-28). In what ways are hope and envy similar? How are they different?

psalm 73 | week 1 12 Look out Identify the relevance of God’s Word in the world group question:

When a person hopes for the wrong thing or person, eventually they are disappointed and let down. Where do you see people putting their hope in the wrong thing? notes:

psalm 73 | week 1 13 LOOK in apply god’s word to your life The psalmist expresses several powerful attitudes and mindsets. Which of the following do you identify with the most right now, and why? ENVY: “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (verse 3) HELPLESSNESS: “Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?” (verse 13) OVERWHELMED: “I was stupid and didn’t understand; I was an unthinking animal toward you.” (verse 22) CONFIDENCE: “Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.” (verse 23) HOPE: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (verse 26) How does the attitude/mindset you selected impact your life? How does it shape how you think, what you say, and the decisions you make? group questions:

How have you experienced the goodness of God? What does it look like for you to be Re-read the near Him? last verse in this psalm and answer one of the following questions: Describe a time in your life when you made God your refuge. What did that look like?

psalm 73 | week 1 14 what if kingdom living group questions: How does this psalm make a personal impact in your worship of God?

Based on your study of this psalm, is there one action step or change you want to make in your life? notes:

psalm 73 | week 1 15 PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, You are sovereign. You are in total control. No one and no thing is greater than You. We trust in Your promise and keep an eye on the goal. We know that faith in Your Son, Jesus, is the gift of salvation—the gift of eternal life with You. God, right now, life can feel unfair. There are people who don’t care about You and they seem to have an easy life. Father, there are times we struggle. There are times the struggle to remain close to You is overwhelming. We thank You for Your grace and Your mercy. We are sorry for our pride and selfishness. We ask for Your forgiveness of our sins and that You would make our hearts as white as snow. It is good to be near to You. We thank You that Your love is perfect and unconditional. There is nothing we can do to gain any more of Your love, and there is nothing we can do to lose Your love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. notes:

psalm 73 | week 1 16 COMMENTARY

PSALM 73

73:6 A “necklace” signified status and prominence (Daniel 5:29); the wicked wore their pride as a status symbol.

73:10 His people could refer to those who were connected with these wicked people, but the shift from plural to singular is awkward. If “heaven” in verse 9 represents God, then it is the nearest singular antecedent. In this case, the speech of the wicked even leads God’s people astray, something this psalmist would not do with his words (verse 15).

73:11 It was a common belief among the wicked that God did not pay attention to them and would not punish them (Isaiah 29:15; see notes at Psalms 10:11, 14:1). In fact, God does know everything (Psalms 44:21, 139:1- 12; Daniel 2:2; Hosea 7:2; Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20).

73:20 The phrase “waking from a dream” could refer to the psalmist’s own state before his change of perspective, but it probably refers to God’s waking (arising, meaning “to act”; see notes at Psalms 7:6, 35:23). The dream is equivalent to image and emphasizes as in verse 19 that the swift destruction of the wicked will make their former prosperity seem like a dream.

73:23 “Holding someone’s right hand” refers to protection (Psalm 63:8; Isaiah 41:10,13; Psalm 42:6; Jeremiah 31:32).

73:26 A “portion” is another way of describing a person’s inheritance (see note at Psalm 16:5-6).

psalm 73 | week 1 17 howhow toto complaincomplain toto godgod

psalm 142 | week 2 main point When we draw near to God and pour out our complaints to Him, He offers comfort as our refuge and our portion in times of distress. LEAN IN Break the Ice group questions: When you experience deep distress, exhaustion, or desperation, how do you express it?

When you think of complaining, what image comes to mind?

Connection

To connect the lean in question to your group reading and discussion of Psalm 142, consider saying something along the lines of “We’re going to look at a psalm written by David in deeply distressing circumstances and explore how his complaint to God brought him comfort and hope.”

psalm 142 | week 2 20 LOOK DOWN Look at God’s Word

Context

David penned Psalm 142 when he was forced by Saul to take shelter in a cave. It is called a “Maschil”—a psalm of instruction, written to teach us how to pray in times of distress. This psalm outlines the complaint David makes to God, the comfort he takes in God, his bold faith that God will hear and deliver him, and his hope that the righteous will see God’s goodness and join him in praise.

Leader Notes

Remember, this is the Word of God; don’t rush through it. Read slowly, and allow His words to sink in. This creates space for the Spirit to highlight words and speak to the individuals in your group. Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 142.

1 I cry aloud to the LORD; I plead aloud to the LORD for mercy.

2 I pour out my complaint before him; I reveal my trouble to him.

3 Although my spirit is weak within me, you know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me.

4 Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. psalm 142 | week 2 21 5 I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

7 Free me from prison so that I can praise your name. The righteous will gather around me because you deal generously with me.

psalm 142 | week 2 22 Leader Notes

Make sure to go through all three questions with your group. They build on each other intentionally as a foundation for the rest of the discussion. The questions should cause the group to come to an insight about a passage in the Bible as relevant facts and details in the passage are examined— which can then be seen and witnessed in reality in real-world terms. group question: Based on verses 1-4, how would you describe David’s circumstances and emotional state? And how has his emotional state changed by verse 7?

Leader Notes

Keep in mind that this is an opportunity for participants to engage with their Bibles. This may be the first time a participant is combing through his or her Bible in a while and it is an important training moment. As the group discussion is taking place, muscles for Scripture reading are being stretched and built. So, don’t be discouraged if it takes people some time. Don’t jump in to give the answers. Be patient and calm in your presence. Rest in the fact that your group examining the Scriptures together is already a win!

psalm 142 | week 2 23 Potential Answers

The goal here is for participants to trace David’s journey from distress to hope as he directs his complaint to God—his refuge and portion.

Verses 1-4:

He is in emotional distress, troubled—so much so that it manifested physically as he cried aloud to God.

He is exhausted (“my spirit is weak”).

He is being pursued by an enemy.

He is alone—his friends abandoned him, no one is concerned for him.

He feels trapped and “in prison” both physically (in a cave) and emotionally (in the emotional impact of his circumstances).

Verse 7:

He is secure in God as his refuge.

He has enough because God is his portion.

He has faith that God will deal generously with him.

He has hope that he will praise God for His goodness, surrounded by his community.

psalm 142 | week 2 24 group question: What can we observe in the psalm about how David complains to God?

Leader Notes

Help participants observe how David boldly and humbly draws near to God as his only source of comfort in distress. He complains as a means of drawing near.

Potential Answers

He doesn’t pretend to have it together—he knows that with God he can just come as he is.

He expresses his distress. He pours it all out and gets everything off his chest and leaves it with God.

He is specific—nothing is too small; he trusts God hears it all.

He goes straight to the source of comfort rather than wallowing in his distress, looking at his trouble from every angle and aggravating it.

He complains to God as a means of communion. God already knows his trouble and his path, but telling God about it made space for true and deep relationship.

He expresses his desire—not as if God owed him relief, but he humbly asks in light of God’s goodness. psalm 142 | week 2 25 group question: What truths about God does David cling to? How is he comforted?

Leader Notes

Help participants go on a journey to recognize how generously and kindly God deals with us in our distress. When we complain to Him, we have hope for our present and our future and we find shelter and rest in His presence.

Potential Answers:

God knows his path. Though snares were hidden on the path David walks, God was not surprised. And God sees that David didn’t go out of his way, he encountered the snares.

God isn’t put off by his complaint—David can come freely.

God is strong to rescue him.

God is his refuge—what shall he fear?

God is his portion—what shall he be in want of?

God is good and generous in the way he deals with David.

psalm 142 | week 2 26 LOOK OUT Identify the relevance of God’s Word in the world

Leader Notes

Through David’s instruction, we want participants to discover the difference of complaining to God and complaining to man. When our first response is to complain to man or wallow in it alone, we aggravate the distress and find no rest for our souls. When our first response is to turn to God and pour out our hearts to Him, we find shelter, comfort, and hope. Note that in the passage people have disappointed David, while God has always remained faithful. group questions: The direction of our complaint matters. Where have you seen an example of someone complaining to God and someone complaining to man?

What was the difference and how did the direction of the complaint impact the circumstances, relationships, or faith of each individual?

psalm 142 | week 2 27 Potential Answers

Lead participants to answer with stories of where they have seen someone respond to their distress either by complaining to God or complaining to man:

When the individual complained to man she ended up putting the burden of her circumstances on someone who couldn’t deliver her. It hurt their relationship and left both people feeling hopeless.

When the individual complained to God, his circumstances didn’t change but he knew God was with him and found great comfort in that. The way he engaged his wife was from a place of rest rather than a place of restlessness.

Leader Notes

God created community because it wasn’t good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18), but community was not designed to replace God. Community does what it’s supposed to do when God is in His rightful place in our lives.

We don’t want to communicate that it is wrong to share vulnerably and honestly in community. In this psalm, David pours his heart out to God, knowing He alone is the source of the safety and comfort David is desperate for. However, people still play a key role in this passage. In verse 7 David asks God: “Free me from prison so that I can praise your name. The righteous will gather around me because you deal generously with me.” This implies that other believers who submit to God know what David is going through and will worship God with Him as He comforts, secures and sustains David.

Our community should know what we are going through, but if we are running to them with our complaints and expecting our circumstances or heart to change in the process, we will be left unsatisfied. psalm 142 | week 2 28 LOOK IN Apply God’s Word to your life

Leader Notes

This is not a space to fix people’s anxieties, distress, or relational issues. Unless you become aware of a situation that is unsafe and threatening to the life of the person, please reach out to the Group Life team. This is a space for participants to share vulnerably and honestly, and to experience God’s love for them through His people. Ensure that everyone has space to share by asking questions, creating space and actively listening. It’s ok to sit with some in silence—not all spaces need to be filled.

Context

The truth of this psalm connects with what we learn about God through Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus empathizes with us in our distress. The night He was betrayed, Jesus was deeply sorrowful and troubled. He took His disciples with Him to Gethsemane to pray. Similar to David, someone close to Jesus was scheming to betray Him, and His other disciples kept falling asleep when He needed them to rally in prayer. He told the disciples His soul was “grieved to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38), inviting the prayer and care of His community. But still, His first response was to pour out His heart to God and find His strength and comfort in His Father. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Luke then says that God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus, and Jesus, being in more anguish, prayed more fervently. In His distress, He drew near to the Father, vulnerably poured out His heart, named His distress and His desire, and found strength and comfort in the only One who could give it.

psalm 142 | week 2 29 group questions: What people or circumstances might be causing you distress right now?

What has been the direction of your complaints and where are you seeing the impact of the direction of your complaint? notes:

psalm 142 | week 2 30 WHAT IF? Kingdom Living

Leader Notes

Encourage participants to name, specifically, what they will do differently to practice complaining to God (rather than complaining to others, or wallowing in it alone) this week. We want to raise disciples who are not “forgetful hearer[s] but doer[s] who work” because, according to James 1:25, people who do this are blessed in what they do. group questions: What might be different in your emotional state, relationships, or faith if you poured out your heart to God in your distress and left your burden with Him?

How might things look different if you complained and lived and rested with God as your refuge and portion?

psalm 142 | week 2 31 PRAYER EXPERIENCE REMINDER Remind the group that your Prayer Experience is coming up and take a moment to cast vision, invite participants, and build anticipation for this time of focused prayer.

PRAYER

Thank God that because of what Jesus did on the cross we can now freely and confidently approach God and pour out our hearts to Him in times of distress. No complaint is too small for Him to hear and care for—He longs for us to draw near. Thank Jesus for empathizing with us in our sorrow, our anxiety, and our desperation. Ask God to comfort those in your group who are suffering and pray rest over the group as you all remember that He is the Source of all comfort and peace. notes:

psalm 142 | week 2 32 COMMENTARY

Psalm 142

142:1. By referring to the Lord in the third person, rather than speaking to Him directly in the second person, the psalmist suggests the sense of solitude palpable in this psalm. In his initial address he utters four cries of deep emotion that build in increasing intensity. Although the focus is on how the psalmist feels in his pain, he is not merely venting his anguish, and he certainly does not turn to someone else for assistance; he expresses an indirect but real appeal to be heard by the Lord. In his call for divine mercy, the psalmist cries out in the distress of his anguished soul. In his intense need he begs for divine grace.

142:2. He pictures the complaint of his heart as a pail full of distress that he pours out before the Lord, similar to Hannah’s fervent entreaty in 1 Samuel 1:15. As the culmination of his address, he comes before the Lord and tells him of his trouble. The Hebrew term ārâ (“trouble”) speaks of what confines or traps, and in this context the psalmist uses it to indicate his emotional claustrophobia as he feels hemmed in and confined by his distress. Rather than holding on to his pain, he releases it to the Lord as he comes before him with his appeal, perhaps at the temple.

142:3. There is a strong emotional component to the psalmist’s distress because he describes his spirit growing weak within him, or literally, “my spirit fainted” (cf. Psalm 143:4). He has come to the end of his own resources, but he has not exhausted his confidence in the Lord. Even though his experience argues against it, his theology says that the Lord knows his path, a tenet of faith he will develop in his confession of trust in verse 5. However, his enemies also know the path where he walks, and they have hidden a trap to catch him (cf. Psalms 140:4-5; 141:9- 10). Nevertheless, if the Lord is familiar with all his ways, as Psalm 139:3 psalm 142 | week 2 33 declares, then He also knows all about the snares they have laid, so He can deliver the psalmist from their malevolent schemes. He realizes that nothing he experiences is unknown or unanticipated by the Lord.

142:4. With the initial word of this verse, habbê, “look,” the psalmist could be appealing to the Lord to look on his plight; but within the context of his complaint (Psalm 142:3-4), he may be calling upon himself to look on his isolation at his time of distress and thus make his plight all the more poignant. He looks to the right, where one would expect to see a defender (cf. Psalm 109:31), but no defender looks back at him. As Alter observes, “In Psalms, help is repeatedly on the right hand, so it is dismaying when there is no one there who knows the speaker.” Because no one was concerned about him, he felt totally alone and vulnerable in the face of his distress. He needed someone to care for him, but nobody cared.

142:5. Here is the second summit of faith as the psalmist lays hold of God afresh. David prays firmly and pointedly, “I cry to you, O Lord.” Although he feels shut out in this cave, God is his refuge (machseh), a place of shelter, a stronghold. God is my portion, meaning God is his allotment, or all he has. But God is all he needs, the Sustainer and Strength of his life in the land of the living, that is, as long as he is alive.

142:6. Repeating his earlier plea (Psalm 142:1-2,5), David pleads that God heed him. David laments that the adverse circumstances in which he finds himself have humbled him and brought him low. Specifically, he has been brought low by those who pursue him, meaning Saul and his henchmen. They are too strong for David, far beyond what he can handle.

142:7. The cave in which David finds himself, hiding from Saul, has become a prison for him, a place of solitary confinement. He cannot escape it as he finds himself between a rock and a hard place. But more than that, he is in an emotional prison, a psychological black hole. Only God himself can deliver him, something he believes God will perform.

psalm 142 | week 2 34 whywhy dodo youyou standstand farfar away?away?

WHY DO YOU STAND FAR AWAY psalm 10 | week 3

psalm 10 | week 3 main point

God is King forever and one day all will be made right. LEAN IN Break the Ice group questions: If you could right one wrong in the world, what would it be? Why?

Leader Notes

You may opt to use this time to further debrief your group Prayer Experience. Example: “Hey, before we jump in, looking back on our Prayer Experience, what have you taken with you from our time? How is it continuing to impact you?”

Connection

It may be helpful for the leader to create a bridge from this question to the next by saying something along the lines of “At times the world seems full of injustice, and we wonder what God is doing about it. Let’s look at Psalm 10, where David models for us how to talk to God about the injustice in this world.”

psalm 10 | week 3 37 LOOK DOWN Look at God’s Word

Context

Many scholars believe that Psalm 9 and 10 were originally one psalm, which would make David the author (technically Psalm 10 has no title). In Psalm 10, David is dismayed at the injustice and evil all around him. He laments that the wicked seem to prosper, while the righteous suffer. As David cries to God for justice, nonetheless he steadfastly hopes in the Lord. At Mariners, many of our people share David’s lament about the injustices in this world. Leaders should shepherd the group conversation to a place of honest lament (here’s what’s difficult) and God-centered hope (here’s Who sustains).

Have a volunteer read Psalm 10.

1 LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble?

2 In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue their victims; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.

3 For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the LORD.

4 In all his scheming, the wicked person arrogantly thinks, “There’s no accountability, since there’s no God.”

5 His ways are always secure; your lofty judgments have no effect on him; he scoffs at all his adversaries.

psalm 10 | week 3 38 6 He says to himself, “I will never be moved— from generation to generation I will be without calamity.”

7 Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

8 He waits in ambush near settlements; he kills the innocent in secret places. His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless;

9 he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize a victim; he seizes a victim and drags him in his net.

10 So he is oppressed and beaten down; helpless people fall because of the wicked one’s strength.

11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten; he hides his face and will never see.”

12 Rise up, LORD God! Lift up your hand. Do not forget the oppressed.

13 Why has the wicked person despised God? He says to himself, “You will not demand an account.”

14 But you yourself have seen trouble and grief, observing it in order to take the matter into your hands. The helpless one entrusts himself to you; you are a helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked, evil person, until you look for his wickedness, but it can’t be found.

16 The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. psalm 10 | week 3 39 17 LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully,

18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more.

This psalm is blunt about the depths of injustice in our world, but it’s also clear about the goodness of God. group questions:

What descriptions of God do you see in the psalm?

Which one speaks to you most powerfully?

Leader Notes

To help people answer this question, consider having a group member reread verses 14-18. This portion of Psalm 10 highlights God’s attributes.

This question is an opportunity for our people to engage with a specific passage of Scripture. For some in your group, this may be the first time they’ve ever been asked to make observations about a passage, so if necessary use the examples: psalm 10 | week 3 40 Verse 14 - God sees our trouble, all situations are in His hands, the helpless can trust Him, He helps the fatherless. What incredible descriptions of God’s compassion and power!

Verse 15 - God is just, making sure the wicked are held responsible for their injustices. We don’t have to take justice into our own hands. Not only is God’s knowledge comprehensive, His execution of justice is perfect.

Verse 16 - The LORD is king. He is in charge. He has full authority over all things, which means we can trust Him to make things right. His reign never ends, so God will always be in control.

Verses 17-18 - God hears the prayers of the humble, and strengthens their hearts. He listens carefully and defends the fatherless and oppressed.

psalm 10 | week 3 41 LOOK OUT Identify the relevance of God’s Word in the world

group questions: In this psalm David laments the injustice he sees in the world. Do you feel cautious or free to question God about injustice, and why?

Leader Notes

Be aware that people may have different perspectives on what is appropriate to pray to God. Be ready to shepherd this discussion in case there are conflicting opinions. Consider the following:

Some Christians use the concept of God’s goodness to downplay the seriousness of evil. You may have people in your group who would never dare to pray to God like David does in Psalm 10. They would feel irreverent for doing so. This psalm challenges them in a helpful way by modeling what it looks like to express doubt, frustration, and disorientation. Remind the group that God doesn’t only want our joyful praise—He also listens to the anguished cries of His people. Like the man in Mark 9, sometimes our most honest prayer is merely: “Lord, help my unbelief!” Rather than stifling or denying such struggles in our spiritual lives, we’re given permission to present them to God.

psalm 10 | week 3 42 Some Christians are so fixated on evil that they forget God’s goodness. On the other hand, you may have people in your group who would say anything to God, regardless of how relevant or irrelevant their motives or words might be. As Proverbs 1:7 teaches us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...”. Meaning, while God desires our honesty, He also expects us to remember that He is God, we are not.

Find the biblical balance. In Psalm 10, David models a balanced approach that takes both God’s goodness and the harsh realities of evil into account. Verses 1-13 comprise David’s lament, while verses 14-18 showcase his unwavering trust in God. Aren’t these contradictory? Not at all! As our knowledge of evil grows, we begin to realize the immensity of God’s power which is required to make things right. We can be appalled at injustice and confident in God’s justice simultaneously.

psalm 10 | week 3 43 LOOK IN Apply God’s Word to your life group questions: Describe a time in your life when God felt uninvolved or far away. How did you move through that experience with faith?

Leader Notes

While this question is phrased in the past tense, it’s highly possible that some in your group currently feel that God is distant. For them, this is their present reality, not a past experience. Their sense of God’s uninvolvement may be a response to tough circumstances—a jaded or painful past church experience, personal illness, work or financial struggles, crumbling marriage, disappointment, etc.

Give permission for honesty. You might give freedom for people to share honestly by saying something like: “I realize that some of you may currently feel God is distant. We want you to know that this group, and our church, are here to support you. So feel free to share honestly.”

Listen, don’t solve. A temptation when someone is sharing about their faith struggles is to try to solve things for them. Most people who feel God is distant don’t need their problem solved—they’re in a process that God is sovereignly directing. God may use you, or the group collectively, to minister to them. But chances are, what they need most is a listening ear. psalm 10 | week 3 44 If you’re a problem solver by nature, resist your instinct to resolve all the tension. Focus on being present, and maybe even repeating back what people share in your own words, to show you’re truly hearing them.

Offer to pray. Logistically, there simply isn’t time to pray for each person in depth. But as you wrap up this question, you might offer a general prayer to bring closure to this discussion. Your prayer can contain intercession for those currently struggling, and thanksgiving for those whom God helped through a hard season.

notes:

psalm 10 | week 3 45 WHAT IF? Kingdom Living group questions: As you encounter injustice in the world, how might this passage strengthen you?

How would you use this psalm to encourage someone facing injustice?

psalm 10 | week 3 46 PRAYER

Pray for God’s justice to reign in the face of injustice. Pray specifically for the place where you live—your neighborhood and city—to reflect the peace of God. notes:

psalm 10 | week 3 47 COMMENTARY

Psalm 10

10:1-2. The perceived absence of Yahweh (God) in the psalmist’s suffering is described as standing far away (Psalms 35:22; 38:21) and hiding (Psalm 13:1). This is another way of saying that God has not yet delivered the psalmist, although there is an implication of rejection as expressed more forcefully in other lament psalms (Psalm 22:1). The specific affliction here is identified in Psalm 10:2 in the request for the wicked to be caught in their own schemes.

10:3-6. The “arrogance of the wicked” climaxes in a statement denying God’s existence. This is not metaphysical atheism, in which there is absolute unbelief in God’s existence, but practical atheism, which denies that God pays any attention to what people are doing (Psalms 14:1; 53:1). The enemy’s security rests on his thinking, which is that he can get away with anything his own cravings allow. He will never be moved (Psalms 15:5; 16:8; 21:7; 62:2; 112:6) in the sense that no higher being will divert him from doing what he desires.

10:7. Mouth and tongue are used for speech, describing the deadly arsenal of the enemy’s words (Psalms 5:9; 140:3). A similar image appears in Psalm 64:3 where a tongue is a sword and speech is an arrow.

10:8-10. The image of a wild animal, specifically a lion, is commonly used for the wicked. He preys on the innocent (Psalms 94:21; 106:38) and the helpless. This second term is used only in this psalm (verses 10,14).

10:11. God’s inactivity is evidence enough for the wicked that He has forgotten the righteous, reinforcing the practical atheism expressed in verse 4. This is coupled with the assumption that God was hiding Himself. For the afflicted, this apparent situation was a perplexing question (verse 1).

psalm 10 | week 3 48 10:12-15. What is true in Psalm 9 is now in conflict with what appears to be happening in Psalm 10. God is asked not to forget the afflicted, but in Psalm 9:12,18, He does not forget them. Here the wicked think that God will not demand an account, but in 9:12 He clearly does. The tension is between appearance and reality—a common situation in the lament psalms. “Fatherless” is a better rendering than “orphan,” since in Hebrew society it was the lack (or loss) of a father that made a person helpless by not having property or rights. “Breaking the arm of the wicked” would make them helpless as well (Psalm 37:17), allowing them to be called into account.

10:16-18. Since Yahweh is sovereign forever, His justice will triumph. The statement that nations will perish from His land is reminiscent of the annihilation of the Canaanites from the Promised Land, a land that belonged to Yahweh and was given to His people (Deuteronomy 7). The final result is that the wicked will no longer terrify others but will themselves be terrified (Psalm 9:20).

psalm 10 | week 3 49 wherewhere isis ourour god?god?

psalm 115 | week 4 main point

The psalmist reminds us who our God is and how all the “little g” gods are purposeless. LEAN IN Break the Ice group questions: As a human being, it’s in our nature to want some kind of control. In what area of life do you tend to be in control? Explain.

Connection

It may be helpful to create a bridge from this question to the next by saying something along the lines of “We’re going to look at how the psalmist instructs people to trust in the Lord and not in worthless idols.”

psalm 115 | week 4 52 LOOK DOWN Look at God’s Word

Context

The psalmist of Psalm 115 called on the Lord to vindicate God’s honor among the nations. After demonstrating God’s sovereignty and voicing contempt against pagan idols, he invited all to trust in the Lord for He would bless them abundantly. This was a time when the nation was humiliated by idolaters. This psalm is considered to be part of Psalm 113- 118 as a song being sung by the Jews during their Passover celebrations.

Leader Notes

The leader should keep in mind that this is an opportunity for participants to engage with their Bibles. This may be the first time a participant may be combing through his or her Bible in a while. This is a good training moment. As the group discussion is taking place, muscles for Scripture reading are being built. Therefore, the leader should not be discouraged if it takes people some time. The leader is encouraged to be patient. Don’t jump in to give the answers. Your group examining the Scriptures together is already a win!

Have a volunteer read Psalm 115.

1 Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth.

2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” psalm 115 | week 4 53 3 Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.

5 They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.

6 They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.

7 They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats.

8 Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

9 Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.

10 House of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.

11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.

12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;

13 he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike.

14 May the LORD add to your numbers, both yours and your children’s.

psalm 115 | week 4 54 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The heavens are the LORD’s, but the earth he has given to the human race.

17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any of those descending into the silence of death.

18 But we will bless the LORD, both now and forever. Hallelujah! group questions: What are the major differences between the idols in verses 4-8 and the God of the universe?

What effect do you think these differences were to have on the hearer?

psalm 115 | week 4 55 Leader Notes

Below are some potential answers if your group is slow to jump in:

IDOLS: “Mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see...Ears but cannot hear, noses but cannot smell...hands but cannot feel, feet but cannot walk...cannot make a sound with their throat...”

GOD: SPEAKS: “Then God said…” (Genesis 1), “God spoke to Noah…” (Genesis 8:15), “Then the LORD told Moses…” (Exodus 20:22)

SEES: “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere...” (Proverbs 15:3), “Humans do not see what the LORD sees…” (1 Samuel 16:7), “The LORD looks down from heaven…” (Psalm 33:13)

HEARS: “...if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us…” (1 John 5:14), “...his ears are open to their prayer…” (1 Peter 3:12), “...he hears the prayer of the righteous…” (Proverbs 15:29)

SMELLS: “When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma…” (Genesis 8:21)

PURSUES: “...the LORD God called out to the man…” (Genesis 3:9)

psalm 115 | week 4 56 LOOK OUT Identify the relevance of God’s Word in the world

The psalmist exhorts us to trust in God in all circumstances. group questions: Who do you know that places their trust in the Lord in all aspects of their life?

How do they demonstrate total trust in God?

Leader Notes

Be ready to have an example to share with the group. You may think of someone who displays trust in big, life-altering situations, as well as the small day-to-day decisions to demonstrate trusting God as a lifestyle.

psalm 115 | week 4 57 LOOK IN Apply God’s Word to your life group questions: What is one area of life where you have a problem trusting in God?

Leader Notes

This is an opportunity to shepherd your group. Leaders are encouraged to probe (e.g., “Tell me more about…” or “What about____makes it difficult to trust in God?”). Observe the group. If the group seems to agree with what was shared, affirm them (e.g., “It sounds like everyone can relate to that.”).

Take this time to pray for and encourage one another.

psalm 115 | week 4 58 WHAT IF? Kingdom Living group questions: What is one thing you can surrender to God this week, that maybe you’ve been holding onto?

Leader Notes

This question provides an opportunity for application of the passage. Depending on the trust level and size of your group, you may encourage participants to enter their answer in the chat, if you’re meeting online, or take turn sharing aloud. Encourage the group to check in with one another midweek. Possibly have them choose someone and exchange contact information.

Prayer Requests

The facilitator is encouraged to take prayer requests after this question if time/group dynamic permits.

Q&A REMINDER MOMENT Remind your participants as you wrap up that there will be a Q&A taking place on July 2nd. Encourage them to ask any Q&A questions during your discussion times or email one in to you.

psalm 115 | week 4 59 PRAYER

Thank God for His sovereign control of your lives and the world. Confess your struggle to acknowledge His control. Pray also for the people you know who have not given control of their lives over to God in salvation; pray that they would come to know the one true God of the universe. notes:

psalm 115 | week 4 60 COMMENTARY

Psalm 115

115:1-18. This psalm contains a number of lines that are identical to those in Psalm 135.

115:2. The nations questioned the presence of Israel’s God in light of her dire circumstances. The setting may be exilic, prompting the question, or the question may be a general remark on the absence of any visible manifestation of Israel’s God.

115:3. This phrase expresses God’s sovereignty (Psalm 135:6; Proverbs 21:1; cp. Ecclesiastes 8:3).

115:4-8. Compare these verses with Psalm 135:15-18. Idols, created by humans, are lifeless. The nations’ gods are impotent. The prophet Isaiah also declared the weakness of idols (Isaiah 6:10; 40:19-20; 41:7; 46:1-7). While the molten images appear to have human characteristics, they are unable to act under their own power. Those who create idols and place their trust in them will be just like them—powerless and ineffective.

115:9-13. Verses 12-13 list the consequences of verses 9-11; Israel trusts God, and God blesses Israel.

115:14. Increased descendants is a sign of the Lord’s favor and blessing.

115:15. The Lord created all things; He is not created by human hands (verse 4). This expression occurs frequently in poetical texts that herald the Lord’s superiority.

115:17-18. Those who have descended into silence are a figure for those who are dead—lifeless idols and their makers. Conversely, those who trust in God are alive, and they bless His name forever.

psalm 115 | week 4 61 whywhy havehave youyou forsakenforsaken me?me?

psalm 22 | week 5 main point

No matter the circumstances, we can know we will never be forsaken by God because Christ was forsaken on the cross on our behalf. LEAN IN Break the Ice group questions:

Everyone has a different coping mechanism when feeling stressed out or overwhelmed (e.g., overeat, oversleep, binge-watch Netflix). What is your outlet?

Leader Notes

Instead of the Lean In question, you may want to use this time to further debrief the Serve Opportunity. The leader may ask, “Hey, before we jump in, are there any further reflections on our serve experience from last week? Has God continued to speak to you?”

Connection

It may be helpful to create a bridge from this question to the next by saying something along the lines of “We’re going to look at a time in David’s life when he was overwhelmed, and we’ll see how he dealt with it.”

psalm 22 | week 5 64 LOOK DOWN Look at God’s Word

Context

While it is unclear what events in David’s life prompted the writing of Psalm 22, it was likely David’s darkest hour. He felt forsaken. The ambiguity of this context is helpful because it creates a wide end of the funnel for how our people may wrestle with feeling forsaken by God. The ambiguity of this psalm prepares the facilitators to be aware of the various trials (e.g., financial, health, relational, etc.) that may cause someone in the group to feel forsaken by God.

Have a volunteer read Psalm 22.

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?

2 My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest.

3 But you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 Our ancestors trusted in you; they trusted, and you rescued them.

5 They cried to you and were set free; they trusted in you and were not disgraced.

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by people.

7 Everyone who sees me mocks me; They sneer and shake their heads: psalm 22 | week 5 65 8 “He relies on the LORD; let him save him; let the LORD rescue him, since he takes pleasure in him.”

9 It was you who brought me out of the womb, making me secure at my mother’s breast.

10 I was given over to you at birth; you have been my God from my mother’s womb.

11 Don’t be far from me, because distress is near and there’s no one to help.

12 Many bulls surround me; strong ones of Bashan encircle me.

13 They open their mouths against me— lions, mauling and roaring.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed; my heart is like wax, melting within me.

15 My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones; people look and stare at me.

18 They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing. psalm 22 | week 5 66 19 But you, LORD, don’t be far away. My strength, come quickly to help me.

20 Rescue my life from the sword, my only life from the power of these dogs.

21 Save me from the lion’s mouth, from the horns of wild oxen. You answered me!

22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; I will praise you in the assembly.

23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! All you descendants of Israel, revere him!

24 For he has not despised or abhorred the torment of the oppressed. He did not hide his face from him but listened when he cried to him for help.

25 I will give praise in the great assembly because of you; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear you.

26 The humble will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him. May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before you,

28 for kingship belongs to the LORD; he rules the nations. psalm 22 | week 5 67 29 All who prosper on earth will eat and bow down; all those who go down to the dust will kneel before him— even the one who cannot preserve his life.

30 Their descendants will serve him; the next generation will be told about the Lord.

31 They will come and declare his righteousness; to a people yet to be born they will declare what he has done.

Leader Notes group questions: David feels abandoned and forsaken by God while his troubles feel near. Which of David’s words or phrases jump out at you and why?

psalm 22 | week 5 68 Potential Answers

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning? My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest.” (Psalm 22:1-2)

Someone may comment on the word “Why” because they resonate with the idea of questioning God.

Another may see the word “abandon” because it’s a visceral word that gets straight to the point.

Someone may see the phrase “so far” to demonstrate the seeming distance David feels.

Someone may see the phrase “you do not answer” because of its accusatory tone for the absence of God . notes:

psalm 22 | week 5 69 LOOK OUT Identify the relevance of God’s Word in the world David experiences a turning point in verse 21, not because of a change in circumstances, but in attitude. group questions: What truths about God from the passage do you think strengthened him?

Have you ever known someone who endured difficulty by clinging to truth over circumstance?

What did that look like?

Leader Notes

The leader is encouraged to have an example ready to share. These kinds of questions can be tricky because some may feel the pressure to share an example of someone with radical faith and trust. While we want to celebrate those examples, the reality of trusting in God over circumstances (as seen by David’s example) is that it’s a messy, all-over-

psalm 22 | week 5 70 the-place, two-steps-forward-and-three-steps-back process. Often, these examples are more ordinary, mundane, and routine than we would want. If people are hesitant, the leader could share an example from someone else’s life or even one’s own life.

Potential Answers

THE CHARACTER OF GOD: “But you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)

THE TRACK RECORD OF GOD: “Our ancestors trusted in you; they trusted, and you rescued them. They cried to you and were set free; they trusted in you and were not disgraced.” (Psalm 22:4-5)

“It was you who brought me out of the womb, making me secure at my mother’s breast. I was given over to you at birth; you have been my God from my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 22:9-10)

THE EXAMPLES OF OTHER BELIEVERS: “Our ancestors trusted in you; they trusted, and you rescued them. They cried to you and were set free; they trusted in you and were not disgraced.” (Psalm 22:4-5)

Further Commentary

David was able to praise God because he realized that the distance and humiliation he felt from God were true of him but they were never true of God. God was present in the midst of his afflictions. David was never despised or abandoned by God. David had turned his attention away from his circumstances and set his hope on the gracious (Psalm 22:24) and sovereign (Psalm 22:28) character of God.

psalm 22 | week 5 71 LOOK IN Apply God’s Word to your life group questions: What’s something you’re going through (or have gone through) that’s caused you to wonder if God is distant—and how are you encouraged and challenged by David’s example (which is really Christ’s example)?

Leader Notes

People will be on a spectrum of spiritual process. Some will have had their “aha!” moment where the lightbulb of faith comes on. Others may still feel like they’re under the water of doubt and despair. The facilitator is encouraged to feel free from the pressure of having to control the group’s emotional equilibrium. If the group is largely discouraged, meet your group there. If the group is feeling pumped up and excited, that can be celebrated. It may be helpful for the facilitator to frame this for the group: “And as we share, I want you to know we might be all over the place and that’s ok!” or “A lot of things were shared. There’s things to celebrate and there are things to still process and I think that’s great.”

psalm 22 | week 5 72 Context

Psalm 22 is a psalm Christ references during his death (and is fulfilled during the crucifixion account). Jesus also cried, ”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Jesus could say “they pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16b) and “they divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing” (Psalm 22:18, John 19:24). However, unlike David, Jesus could not say “You answered me!” (Psalm 22:21b). Jesus was abandoned on the cross for our sins. This was so that we will never be abandoned by God. This is the incredible hope of the gospel. The facilitator may draw attention to this during the group discussion, or email or text prior to/after as an encouragement to the group if/when appropriate. notes:

psalm 22 | week 5 73 WHAT IF? Kingdom living In light of God’s truths, David was able to see beyond himself and think of others (Psalm 22:25-31). group question: Who is someone in your life who you can proactively serve this week?

Leader Notes

This question allows for a continuation or expansion of the “Serve Opportunity” debrief, bringing the group full circle to the importance of a life of service beyond one serve experience and allows for further life application of the message.

Q&A REMINDER MOMENT

Remind your participants as you wrap up that there will be a Q&A taking place on July 2nd. Encourage them to ask any Q&A questions during the discussion or email one in to you.

Prayer Requests

The facilitator is encouraged to take prayer requests after this question if time/group dynamic permits. psalm 22 | week 5 74 PRAYER

Thank God for sending Jesus to suffer in our place so that we might be saved. Ask God to help us trust in His presence and character so that we will be prepared to face affliction. Pray that we would be able to point those who suffer to Christ. notes:

psalm 22 | week 5 75 COMMENTARY

Psalm 22

22:1. This psalm opens with a question about God’s rejection, similar to other lament psalms (Psalms 10:1, 13:1-2). This rejection is represented by the term “forsaken.” The same idea appears elsewhere in the psalm with God being “far away” (Psalm 22:19) and “hiding His face” (Psalm 22:24). In his suffering, the psalmist foreshadowed the Messiah; in His suffering, Jesus identified with the psalmist (see Matthew 27:46). When Jesus quoted this first line, He was probably calling attention to the whole psalm, including the theme of victory at the end.

22:3-5. These verses identify the psalmist with the nation of Israel and more specifically with Yahweh’s covenant faithfulness to His people as shown by His deliverance of them time and time again (Psalms 78:53, 107:6). “Enthroned on the praises” is unusual, picturing Yahweh’s dwelling above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant (Psalms 80:1, 99:1). However, in this instance it is the praise of God’s people that is the focus because Yahweh is the praise of Israel (see Deuteronomy 10:21).

22:6-8. “Worm” expresses humiliation (see Job 25:6, Isaiah 41:14), an idea that is further developed with the scorn of the enemies. “Shaking their heads” was a physical gesture often associated with sneezing and mocking (see textual footnote on Psalms 44:14, 64:8). This disgrace was in direct contrast to the fact that Yahweh had kept Israel from disgrace (Psalm 22:5). The thought that Yahweh would not rescue one of His own was a common assumption by Israel’s enemies (Psalms 3:2, 71:11).

22:9-10. The phrase “over to You” is in the emphatic position in the Hebrew text, emphasizing that Yahweh is the One in whom the psalmist has trusted since birth. psalm 22 | week 5 76 22:12-13. The connection between one’s enemies and wild animals, especially lions, is found in other psalms. With bulls, the point seems to be strength rather than fierceness.

22:14-15. The terminology in these verses conveys the notion of being drained of strength. A “heart like melting wax” is similar to the image of “melting hearts” in other contexts where the emotion of fear is so intense that all courage disappears (see Deuteronomy 20:8, Joshua 2:11, 7:5). “Dust of death” implies the nearness and inevitability of death (see Job 7:21, 10:9) and is sometimes linked with Sheol (see Job 17:16).

22:16. The Hebrew text is difficult, reading literally “like a lion my hands and my feet” for “pierced my hands and my feet”. Other manuscript traditions read the Hebrew ka’ari (“like the lion”) as a verb from the Hebrew root krh, meaning either “to bind” or “to dig.” Digging could be synonymous with piercing. Christians have often adopted this reading and seen it as a prophetic allusion to Christ’s crucifixion since New Testament authors quote so much of this psalm in relation to that event (e.g., Matthew 27:46).

22:17-18. “Counting bones” seems to be related to imagery where a person was so emaciated from suffering or brutality that his bones were visible (see 102:5; Job 19:20; 33:21). “Dividing garments” is an attested practice in Middle Assyrian laws where a criminal’s clothes could be given to the prosecutor or to those carrying out the sentence. It was apparently practiced in other cultures, including Rome in the first century, as evident in the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:35, John 19:23).

22:20-21. The psalmist uses imagery from animals to represent enemies. All are repeated with the exception of the wild oxen instead of bulls. Their horns that gored in an attack are the main focus in that image. Dogs might not seem like a negative image because of their role as pets in modern Western society, but in much of the ancient Near East they were never domesticated and were always wild and ravenous animals. psalm 22 | week 5 77 22:22-24. Verse 22 begins a new major section in this psalm, shifting the focus from petition to thanksgiving. The shift might indicate that the prayer of verses 1-21 had been answered or that such an answer was anticipated. Thanksgiving was to be offered in the congregation to evoke praise from the people of God. This was the responsibility of anyone whom Yahweh rescued, so that the entire community could rejoice in God’s acts of deliverance (Psalm 66:16). Whereas the psalmist praised God for being delivered from death, Jesus the Messiah brought glory to God through His death and resurrection.

22:25-26. The “vows” were those made during the time of prayer (Psalms 50:14, 61:8, 66:13). Their fulfillment also took place in the great congregation as a further testimony of God’s goodness to the psalmist. Any ceremonially clean person witnessing someone’s praise offering was permitted to eat from it (see Leviticus 7:11-21).

22:27-31. The psalm ends by broadening to the most universal purpose of God’s Kingdom over the earth. Israel’s purpose was to be a testimony to other nations so they would bow down before Yahweh and serve Him (Psalms 67:2, 72:11,17, 86:9). The growth of the kingdom throughout time is demonstrated in the phrase “a people yet to be born (future generations)”. The inclusion of those who go “down to the dust” who would pay homage to Yahweh (Psalm 22:29) is unusual, since in other psalms it is clear that the dead cannot praise Him (Psalms 6:5, 88:10-12). This is more likely a reference to the final stage of God’s Kingdom where even the dead are brought back to life to recognize Yahweh’s authority over all things (see Daniel 12:2).

psalm 22 | week 5 78