Truth 101 Class

  Psalm 108 is essentially a combination of two other psalms:  verses 1-5 are similar to Psalm 57:7-11 and verses 6-13 are like Psalm 60:5-12.  However, as a whole, this psalm of David can be seen from a new perspective.  After the lifting of thanks and praises to God, it is a prayer of trust in God's promises for deliverance from enemies. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-3 The psalmist praises God with singing and instruments, individually with all his soul, and corporately among all the peoples and nations.  What are the variety of ways in which we can offer praises and thanks to the LORD? Verses 4-5 How do these verses remind us of why God is worthy of our praises and thanks? Verses 6-13 How do these verses provide assurance that God will deliver us from the Enemy? Verse 12 recognizes that without God, our human attempts are vain.  How have I found this to be true in my own life? If...

  Psalm 107 is an exhortation to give thanks to the LORD for His goodness and love.  After the introduction, it proceeds with four illustrations of God's redemption from troubles during 1) wanderings through desert wastelands, 2) captivity under the shadow of death, 3) afflictions from sinful disobedience, and 4) fears from stormy seas. The psalm closes with a contrast between consequences of evil versus blessings to the upright.  Verses 23-43 include the last illustration and the conclusion. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 23-32 What storms and fears has God calmed in my life? Verses 33-42 In these verses, how are consequences for evil contrasted with blessings for the upright? Verse 43 From reflecting on the whole psalm and considering the steadfast love of the LORD, what wisdom can I gain?  If you would like to meditate on this psalm through music as well, following is a link to a YouTube...

  Psalm 107 is an exhortation to give thanks to the LORD for His goodness and love.  After the introduction, it proceeds with four illustrations of God's redemption from troubles during 1) wanderings through desert wastelands, 2) captivity under the shadow of death, 3) afflictions from sinful disobedience, and 4) fears from stormy seas. The psalm closes with a contrast between consequences of evil versus blessings to the upright.  Verses 1-22 include the introduction and the first three illustrations. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-3 These verses can be viewed as a response to the answered prayer from Psalm 106:47, likely of Israel gathered together again after their captivity and exile.  What are some answers to prayer for which we can now give thanks to the LORD? Verses 4-9 Are there times I have wandered away but found no real satisfaction for my soul? Verses 10-16 What chains has God ...

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm highlighting God's faithfulness despite Israel's frequent rebellion. Verses 24-43 continue the account of Israel forgetting God's promises about the Land resulting in their wandering forty years in the wilderness, Israel's Baal worship at Peor, Israel angering God at the waters of Meribah, and Israel's sin in Canaan resulting in captivity and exile.  YET, despite Israel's history of disobedience, verses 44-46 tell of God's faithfulness to His covenant. Verse 47 offers a prayer for salvation and restoration.  Then in verse 48, the psalm and Book IV ends with a doxology. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 24-27 Israel chose not to listen to Joshua and Caleb's report but instead became fearful of the "giants" in the Land (Numbers 13-14).  Are there times in which my fears cause me to miss out on God's promises? Verses 28-31 Israel's Baal wo...

  Psalm 106 is a historical psalm highlighting God's faithfulness despite Israel's frequent rebellion. Verses 1-5 begin with praise to the LORD for His mighty deeds and prayer for his favor.  Verses 6-23 recognize that Israel forgot God's works and repeatedly tested Him in the wilderness, such as through rebelling at the Red Sea, revolting against Moses and Aaron, and worshipping the golden calf.  Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-5 What are some reasons given for why God's people should tell of His mighty deeds and declare His praises? Verses 6-23 What can happen in my life whenever I forget God, His words, or the wondrous works He has done? Verse 15 says, " And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. "  What can we learn from the times we might have received what we asked for, which provided temporary satisfaction for what we wanted but not what our soul needed? Ve...

  Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, giving thanks to the LORD for all His wondrous works and covenant promises. Verses 24-38 recount God sending Moses and Aaron to demonstrate His power through the plagues and deliver His people from Egypt.  Verses 39-42 retell of God protecting Israel through the wilderness and providing food and water.  Verses 42-45 close with God remembering His covenant by bringing His people into the Promised Land to "keep His statutes and observe His laws." Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verse 24 The people of Israel were "very fruitful" despite oppression in Egypt.  How might difficult circumstances in our lives cause us to be even more fruitful? Verses 25-38 C.H. Spurgeon says, "God cannot in any sense be the author of sin so far as to be morally responsible for its existence, but it often happens through the evil which is inherent in human nature that the acts of the Lord...

  Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, giving thanks to the LORD for all His wondrous works and covenant promises. Verses 1-23 recount the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the protection of His people, and the sending of Joseph to rise in power during the famine before bringing Israel to Egypt. [NOTE: Verses 1-15 were sung in 1 Chronicles 16:8-22 when David brought the Ark to Jerusalem.] Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when meditating on this psalm: Verses 1-6  Why is it important to give thanks, call, make known, sing praises, tell, glory, seek, rejoice, and remember? Verses 7-11 What assurance does it give me to know that the LORD's covenant is everlasting? Verses 12-15 In what ways has God protected me as His chosen one? Verses 16-23 The story of Joseph is recounted in these verses through the lenses of faith.  What do I see when I view my past through eyes of faith? If you would like to meditate on this psalm through music as well...