Truth 101 Class

  In Psalm 40, David begins by giving thanks and praising God for His innumerable "wondrous deeds," which include hearing his prayers and delivering him from the pit.  Psalm 40:6-8 is quoted in Hebrews 10:5-7, referring to Christ's sacrifice once for all.  We are to praise God and share the good news of deliverance, so that "many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD" (vs 3b)  and all who seek the LORD will rejoice and be glad, saying continually "Great is the LORD!" (vs 16). Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-3 What can help me to be more PATIENT when waiting for the LORD to answer my prayers? How might the image in verse 2 of being lifted from the pit and muddy clay to be set on solid rock give me encouragement when I feel like I have fallen into a pit or am floundering? In verse 3, what are some benefits of taking time to give praise to God for every "new"

  Psalm 39 is written by David for the Chief Musician.  Jeduthun, in the subtitle, was a Levite as seen in 1 Chronicles 9:16 and was likely a worship leader.  In this psalm, David vows to be silent through what he is suffering.  Yet when he could no longer stay silent, he cries out in prayer to the LORD.  He asks for perspective in light of how fleeting life is, and through his reflections, he recognizes that his hope should really be in the eternal God.  He sees that his suffering is due to the LORD's discipline and rebuke for sin.  Since this world is not his home, his closing prayer is that his relationship with God will be restored before he departs from this world for his home in heaven. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-3 As he was going through suffering, David was afraid he might say something he shouldn't; so, he chose not to say anything at all, bad or good.  Why is it beneficial to guard my tongu

  Psalm 38 is another one of the Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143).  David is in agony as he is convicted by his own sin and senses God's displeasure.  Sin has devastating effects in every aspect of life (e.g., spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and relational).  The closing prayer is that the LORD will not forsake, but will instead save and deliver.  Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-2 What should be my perspective of sins in my life, especially when I recognize God's righteous anger against sin and His displeasure? Verses 3-20 What devastating effects can sin have in my life? The psalmist refers to God as "LORD" ( Yahweh - covenant LORD), "Lord" ( Adonai - Master), and "God" ( Elohim - mighty God) (e.g., in verses 15 and 21-22).  When dealing with our sins, why is it beneficial to consider the characteristics of God emphasized by these various references?

  Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, carrying the theme of the righteous versus the wicked.  It is generally arranged in an acrostic using the letters of the Hebrew alphabet at the beginning of each sentence.  King David is older as he writes this psalm (vs 25), and he uses proverbs to teach wisdom based on his observations and experiences.  Rather than fret or be envious because of evildoers, the righteous can trust in the LORD, delight in the LORD, commit their way to the LORD, and be still before the LORD.  Ultimately, the wicked will be cut off and perish, but the LORD is a refuge and stronghold for the righteous in time of trouble. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-2 To fret is to worry, become vexed, or get all worked up.  Why do I NOT need to fret or be envious? Verses 3-7 Rather than worry or envy, what do these verses say I should do instead? As I am trusting in the LORD (vs 3), what else should I be doing? To de