Truth 101 Class

  C.H. Spurgeon says of Psalm 61, "This Psalm is a pearl. It is little, but precious."  As David cries out to God "from the end of the earth," whether he is far away geographically or feels distanced spiritually, he is still confident that God is his rock, refuge, and strong tower.  To help him through present circumstances, he gains encouragement by looking to what God has done in the past and what He will do in the future.  So, he ends his prayer by closing with praise! Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-2 When are times my heart has been overwhelmed, faint, without strength, troubled, in despair, or heavy?  What should I do during these times? What does the phrase "that is higher than I" add to the image of God as my rock? Verses 3-7 David looks at his past in verses 3 & 5 and to the future in verses 4 & 6-7.  What do I know about God from the past and in the future that can ...

  The title of Psalm 60 points to 2 Samuel 8:1-14 or 1 Chronicles 18:1-13 as the background for this psalm.  Israel is attacked from multiple directions and has suffered some defeats because of their sin and disobedience.  But, those who fear God will be delivered and saved.  Trusting in God's holy word, they will "do valiantly" and "tread down ... foes." Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-3 What might we experience when God is no longer on our side in battle because of our sin and disobedience? [For example, "wine to drink that made us stagger" (v. 3) is a picture of confusion and instability] Verse 4 Moses referred to God as Jehovah Nissi ("The Lord is my Banner") in Exodus 17:15.  The banner provides symbolic identification with being part of God's army, a rallying point in battle, and victory after battle.  How does knowing that "The Lord is my Banner" gi...

Psalm 59 is another one of the "Do Not Destroy" psalms (Psalms 57, 58, 59, and 75).  This psalm refers to the circumstances described in 1 Samuel 19:11, when David's life was in danger from the men sent to his house by Saul to watch him.  David prays for deliverance and protection.  His enemies are portrayed as a pack of howling dogs prowling around at night, but David is confident that he will be singing praises in the morning because of God's strength and steadfast love as his fortress and refuge. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-5 David's enemies strive against him for no transgression or fault of his.  What do these verses show us about what we can do when others turn against us unjustly or for no good reason?  (focus on verses 1-2 and the end of verse 4)   In verse 4, David is asking God to "awake" (or take action) to help him in his individual circumstances; but in verse 5, ...

  Psalm 58 is another one of the "Do Not Destroy" psalms (Psalms 57, 58, 59, and 75), which might be related to an existing tune, to David's prayer not to be destroyed, or to 1 Samuel 26:9 where David said regarding Saul, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”  It is also one of the Imprecatory Psalms (6, 35, 58, 69, 83, 109, 137).  In contrast to God's righteous judgment, the wicked judge unjustly, devise wrongs, and deal out violence.  Because of their sinfulness since birth, the wicked do not hear the voice of righteousness. Ultimately the righteous will be rewarded but the wicked judged. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-5 What do these verses show us about wicked rulers? Verses 6-9 We may sometimes feel uncomfortable with these imprecatory prayers, however, when God judges righteously, destructive fangs are broken and wickedness can b...