Daily Studies – Page 25 – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 142

David again is crying out from a cave (Adullam?) for God’s help. He knows his strength is gone. He knows it is only through God that he is able to continue God’s work.

Psalm 142

David again is crying out from a cave (Adullam?) for God’s help. He knows his strength is gone. He knows it is only through God that he is able to continue God’s work. How aware are we that we are not able to do things for His kingdom without His strength? There are times I wonder how we think we can do God’s work without God’s power (Philippians 4.13).

Psalm 141

Psalm 141
David, according to the title, is seeking not to be consumed by evil.

Psalm 141

A friend wrote a song based on this passage. Here are the lyrics. I may place the music online as-well later this week.

David, according to the title, is seeking not to be consumed by evil.

Verses 1-2-David calls out to the only one who can truly help. That one is God. David shows the importance of prayer. It is a sacrifice to God. What are you in prayer for today? When you are overwhelmed with evil (read comments from Psalm 140), to whom do you turn?

Verses 3-4-David knows our tendency to sin (as did Paul in Romans 7). He realized that he would begin to sin if God did not intervene. Are we that aware of our own propensity to sin? We need God to keep us from sin.

Verses 5-7-David knows accountability is key to growth. It is not the words of the flatterer he is seeking. His desire is for truth to be told him, no matter how painful. Who is in your life to help you honestly view your life?

Verses 8-10-He calls to God one more time for deliverance. He is persistent in prayer, are we?

Psalm 140

Psalm 140 brings us to another Psalm of deliverance. It seems David was always being pursued. When the historical context, 1 Samuel 19-27, is read the poetry of David begins to make sense.

Psalm 140 brings us to another Psalm of deliverance and the last imprecatory psalm. It seems David was always being pursued. When the historical context, 1 Samuel 19-27, is read the poetry of David begins to make sense.

Verses 1-3-David is stating that many people are attacking him both physically and verbally. He then asks us to pause and consider these phrases when he writes Selah. What wars are being waged against you? Are you standing righteous in the midst of them?

Verses 4-5-David is aware of the plans those who seek to destroy him have. Selah. How aware are you of the plans Satan has set for you? We are to be aware of the schemes of Satan (Ephesians 6.10-12 and 2 Corinthians 2.10-11). John reminds us that Satan is not our only enemy, seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5.6-11), we need to be aware of “the world, the flesh, and the devil” (1 John 2.15-17). Again, how aware are you of those that seek to destroy your faith, your testimony, even your very life?

Verses 6-8-David prays for the God of the Universe to deliver and protect him. Selah. When persecutions come, and they will (1 Peter 2.18-20), to whom or what do you turn? Many people turn to sex, drugs, alcohol, music, or other things. We are commanded to turn to Him, which is only logical because He is the Author and Creator of life (Psalm 139). If He is unable to help (Numbers 11.23 and Isaiah 59.1), which He is more than capable, then nothing or no one else can.

Verses 9-11-David’s prayer is that God annihilates his enemies. Are we willing to pray this against our enemies: our own sinful desires (Matthew 16.24-26), the influence of our friends (1 Corinthians 15.33), and the influence of this world (2 Corinthians 10.4-5)? Are we willing to tear down our idols and choose to serve Him alone (Joshua 24.14-28)?

Verses 12-13-David understood the work of God in this world and how He desires to help those who are helpless. In order for us to truly understand this work of God we need to understand that we are the ones who are helpless. When we understand all that He has done for us the natural response will be to praise and thank Him before those in our area of influence. When was the last time you stood up to praise and thank Him where you are in your area of influence?

Psalm 120

Psalm 120 is one of the songs of ascents. The others are Psalms 121-134. These were sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem for their annual feasts. Some say these are what Jesus sang on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed by Judas (John 18).

Although this Psalm is not ascribed to David, it does reflect what was happening in David’s journeys through 1 Samuel.

Men, such as Doeg, were lying and stating evil of David. This does cause pain that lasts throughout life. Words can and do destroy us.

Meshech is a descendant of Japheth. He, and the location, are in major judgment from God in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 27.13, 21; 38.2, 3; and 39.1). Kedar is the second born from Ishmael. Kedar, the location, was to be destroyed by judgment from God (Isaiah 21.16 and 60.7).

The writer speaks his heart for peace while those around him speak for war. This could be a veiled reference to the time David spent in Gath with the Philistines who did not desire peace with Israel. Not much hope nor mention of God in the passage outside of deliverance from these evildoers.

Psalm 52

Psalm 52 is a short Psalm that provides the historical context of when Doeg was sent by Saul to kill Ahimelech’s family in 1 Samuel 21 and 22.

Psalm 52 is a short Psalm that provides a poetic backdrop to the historical context of when Doeg was sent by Saul to kill Ahimelech’s family in 1 Samuel 21 and 22.

Verses 1-3-Historically, Doeg lies about Ahimelech. He told Saul that Ahimelech was conspiring against his kingdom when he said that Ahimelech was aiding David’s escape (1 Samuel 22.9-10). What words are you speaking today? Do they reflect godliness or wickedness? Do you enjoy gossip? Do you tell half-truths, which are lies, in order to get out of trouble? When you do this, you are emulating Doeg. This is why David places the Selah here.

Verses 4-5-David pronounces God’s judgment on Doeg and all who are like him. Selah, consider that the next time you speak words.

Verses 6-7-The Hebrew here is interesting at the end of verse seven. Instead of the word “wealth” it has “in his destruction.” Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 6.10 that the pursuit of wealth (anything other than the pursuit of God) leads to destruction (Proverbs 14.12).

Verses 8-9-David ends this Psalm with confidence in whom God is and an exclamation of praise before God’s people. We should never belittle what God has done in our lives. We need to tell what the Lord has done for us on a regular basis. We need to do this because He is good. When was the last time you gave praise for what God has done?

Psalm 56

Psalm 56 is a Psalm of David when he was in Gath as found in 1 Samuel 21. He, again, gives praise to God for what He has done for him. When He delivers, we should praise Him. Do we?

Verses 1-4-The beginning of this Psalm presents David as tired. He is trampled and oppressed. Does this sound like your life? He places his trust in God, no matter the circumstance. He then praises God because he remembers that life is fleeting and only work for God matters in this life (Matthew 16.24-26). What can those around you do to you?

Verses 5-7-David tells us what they can do. They can injure and do harm us. In the end, God will judge righteously (Romans 12). If we truly believe that God is sovereign, this should be of comfort to us as we go through our daily struggles.

Verses 8-11-Because God is for him, nothing can stand against him. God loves us. Read these verses. He counts are tears, He records them, He is for us, He removes fear (Romans 8.31 and Psalm 118.6). This is so important that David mentions it twice. What is our response? It should daily be that of praise.

Verses 12-13-Because of what God has done for us, our natural response should be to praise Him, to keep His commands. These will not save us. However, because we are saved, we can now do them!

What are you doing today that He has asked you to do?

Long. Hard. Worth it? Yes.

Psalm 34

Today we are provided a better look into the heart and mind of David when he faced difficult circumstances. David’s career is filled with passion. Seldom do you read of David being complacent about life. David gave his all to what he did. Sometimes that passion was for God and other times that passion was for himself. In the psalms we have been and will be studying based on his early life (7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 120, 140, 141, and 142), we see his passion for God.

Psalm 34 informs us, in the inscription, of the historical context of the Psalm. If you recall, the Hebrew version of the Psalms includes the inscriptions as a verse. Without the title as a verse, this psalm forms an acrostic. This Psalm is found played out in history in 1 Samuel 21.10-15 where David acted crazy in order to escape from king Abimelech who is called Achish in the passages in Samuel (1 Samuel 21.10-15 and 1 Samuel 27 and 29). If you read the psalm, it does not sound like it fits with the historical passage. However, David wrote it and ascribed the historical context to it. There are times when we wax poetic after we have encountered danger. It is more praise to God for the deliverance than an account of the deliverance. Such is the case with Psalm 34.

Verses 1-3-As the Psalm is read it is difficult not to look to God to praise Him. This is the purpose of the Psalm. David commands us to look to God to magnify Him. This doesn’t mean that we attempt to make God big but that we look to see Him as He is in reality. A telescope does not make the universe bigger. It helps us see how large it is in reality.

Verses 4-10-As Psalm 31 and 32 present to us the effects of sin on our bodies, these verses present to us the effect of God on our bodies. When we are in fellowship, much like Moses, are faces reflect Him, our bodies are refreshed, our minds are at ease, our fears are alleviated, and shame or disgrace in not our lot.

Verses 11-14-Second Timothy 2.22, Hebrews 12.14, and 1 Corinthians 15.33 both reflect the ideas presented in these verses. If we desire to live the life God created for us to live, we need to pursue God with a passion that is also found in those with whom we are friends.

Verses 15-18-David understands the mission of God in this world is to bring people back into right relationship and fellowship with Himself. Only the humble or the righteous will find Him. Those who are proud, who do what is right in their own eyes (Proverbs 14.12), He will oppose the proud. Remember, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble Jesus mentions this as His mission in life in His first sermon (Luke 4.18.19).

Verses 19-22-These verses reflect the previous four verses. When verse 20 is read, we see a reference to the day Christ was crucified in John 19.33 and 36.

This passage offers hope to those who are in dire straits. What do you do when times are tough? Is your focus on the circumstances or on the God who is greater than all of them (1 John 4.4)?

Psalm 31

Psalm 31 presents another Psalm of David during the time of fleeing from Saul that we have been read about in 1 Samuel 21-24. A brief reading of this psalm presents th early flight of David from Saul. However, others think it is more closely related to when his son Absalom was in rebellion toward the end of David’s life. The text reads better in light of En-gedi and Adullam early in David’s life (verse 2).

Verses 1-2-David is begging God to vindicate him, to listen to him, to rescue him. During this time of turmoil, David knew to whom he should look for protection. The caves are temporary but God is eternal.

Verses 3-5-David realized the truth purpose of God allowing the circumstances befalling David. That purpose is to bring glory to God. David knows that God is his Savior. He knows that he has been redeemed spiritually by God and realizes God can deliver him physically too.

Verses 6-8-Once again David speaks of God’s deliverance and how God has placed him in the straight place due to David’s trust in God.

Verses 9-10-David uses the same imagery of his body wasting away due to his adultery with Bathsheba in Psalm 32. If we could grab hold of what sin does to the body as well as the spirit, we might be less inclined to sin.

Verses 11-13-David doesn’t seem to be able to trust anyone. Who in his midst or around him is working for Saul? His neighbors are his enemies.

Verses 14-18-He turns his attention to the truth of whom God is and of His power. When we are surrounded, we need to remember to focus on God and who He is not the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. Do your circumstances overwhelm you? Well, God is greater than your circumstances (1 John 4.4).

Verses 19-20-God is sovereign and holds complete power.

Verses 21-22-When we cry out to Him, He listens (verses 1 and 22). But, we need to cry out to Him. When we think He is far from us, He is merely a whisper away.

Verses 23-24-This is a call for the saints to love God because of who He is and what He has done. Again, the motif of waiting on the Lord as we read in Psalm 27.

Our courage is only in Him for He alone is eternal and omnipotent. Where is your help coming from?

Psalm 27

Psalm 27 has no reference to time in the title. However, after reading through this Psalm, similarities to the circumstances of En-Gedi and Adullam are evident where David was being pursued by friends (verse 12) and where his family met with him (verse 10).

Psalm 27 has no reference to time in the title (cf. Psalm 102, read the study of Psalm 102). However, after reading through this Psalm, similarities to the circumstances of En-Gedi and Adullam (1 Samuel 21-24) are evident where David was being pursued by friends (verse 12) and where his family met with him (verse 10).

Verse 1-David expresses his confidence in God, even though the situation is not hopeful. We have no need to fear because God is sovereign. He allows the circumstances for His glory. When we can confidently believe that, our lives will be shaped by His purpose not our fear. Fear comes to us when we respond emotionally, without correct knowledge, to a situation. What area of your life do you have fear? What is it about God you doubt?

Verses 2-3-David expresses not fear but confidence in an omnipotent God. Do we?

Verses 4-6-David has confidence that God will allow him to be with Him in His holy temple. God will deliver him. Would that be a prayer of yours? God, bring me through this week that I may stand and praise You at church on Sunday.

Verses 7-10-David is expressing his desire to know God better. He expresses his confidence in God not in humanity because he knows people offer conditional acceptance while God offers unconditional acceptance. The reference to father and mother relates to his father and mother joining him and being sent to safety in 1 Samuel 22.3. Even though they did not reject him, they could have because they are human.

Verses 11-12-David is facing danger from those he knows due to the adversaries being false witnesses and not an enemy nation. Could this be a reference to Doeg from 1 Samuel 22? He asks for God to give him a straight path. He is approaching God and seeking God. Remember that God promises a level path to all who seek Him and not their own ways (Proverbs 3.5-6)

Verses 13-14-David maintains his hope. He knows if he waits for the Lord to do His work, all will be good. These verses should remind you of Joshua 1, Isaiah 40, and Psalm 103.

What confidence do you have in God? Is He truly God in whom we seek refuge and of whom we worship? Or, is He something less than He claims to be? Who is He in your life?

Psalm 7

For a few more days we will be looking into the Psalms. These ten psalms (Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 12, and 140-142) have to do with the time David was fleeing from Saul in 1 Samuel 21-24.

Psalm 7 was written by David concerning a man named Cush from the tribe of Benjamin. Remember that Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. This is the only time Cush is mentioned in the Scripture. He may have been the leader of the clan who was sent by Saul to persecute David.

Verses 1-2-David appears to make a reference to the kingly line of Judah. Judah is the lion. Does he make reference to the tribe of Benjamin as usurping the throne of Judah in verse two?

Verses 3-5-David proclaims innocence of wrong doing. David felt bad for cutting the robe of Saul. Other than that, he did no wrong (1 Samuel 21-24).

Selah-David needs to pause and think about this validity of his statement, or the reader needs to consider his own innocence in matters of dealing with others. How are you treating those in your area of influence?

Verses 6-8-David calls for judgment on those who do wrong. Notice that David does not take vengeance on Cush but asks God to do so. In other places (1 Samuel 21-24), David chooses to be God’s tool of judgment on the Philistines because God called him for this purpose but chooses not to touch Saul because God called him not to harm Saul. When we feel we are in need of vindication are we walking in the purpose of God in what we do? And, as with David, can we ask God to judge us in the same breath?

Verses 9-11-The prayer of David for the wicked to end would include himself if he had done wickedly. He is not placing himself above judgment. He, in this moment, has not done wickedly. We will see a different tone of prayer after David commits adultery with Bathsheba.

Verses 12-16-These verses may have another reference to the tribe of Benjamin overstepping their role and purpose in the nation of Israel. It was already mentioned in verses 1-2 that the Benjamites attempted to overthrow Judah as the rightful ruling tribe. In these verses, they are judged for taking God’s role as Judge. God will destroy them with the arrow. The Benjamites were skilled in archery (1 Samuel 20).

Verse 17-David gives thanks to God, regardless of the outcome or even if God does nothing.

Can we thank God for doing nothing? Can we proclaim praise to the Most High God merely for who He is in His righteousness? Can we allow things to go unexplained and still fall to our knees in gratitude?

David was being pursued due to the jealous rage of a dethroned king. He did nothing. What do we do when people pursue us without cause? Or, with cause?