Psalm 61

When we can look back to see God at work, know that He is at work, and this will lead us, always, to praise Him. Have you praised God for who He is and what He has done lately? Tell someone, write it down.

Psalm 61

This is a psalm of David to be played in worship on stringed instruments (Neginah).

David was thrust out of the city away from the sanctuary during the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18). He uses a double entendre here. He wants to return to the rock that is higher than he, which physically, being in the woods of Ephraim, would be Jerusalem and spiritually would be a reference to God Himself. David’s desire is to return to Jerusalem where he knows he can worship and commune with God. Jesus describes this reasoning in John 4 when He speaks with the woman at the well in terms of worship (John 4.15-26). The thought was we needed to be in a specific place to worship God. Jesus corrects this and establishes that God can be worship anywhere, at any time. He is not demeaning corporate worship in a specific place (church) but is expanding the idea of worship to a personal level as-well.

This psalm can be divided in two parts by the Selah after verse four.

  • Verses 1-4-David is basing his prayer and pleas to God not on a wishful thought but on his previous experience with God. In essence, David is saying: “I may not be in Jerusalem, but I am never far from You. So, God, based on who You are and what You have done in my life, I ask You to protect me, to bring me into Your presence.” David knew who God was and what God had done for him and he based his prayers and his life on that truth.

Selah: When times are rough, do you have evidence that God has been at work in you? Do you know Him well enough to trust Him to be there for you (1 John 2.15-17)? Or, do you wishfully think that He might help you that may be based on something that is not truth? Before times are rough, begin to write out how God has used you, how He has been involved in your life, and how He has changed you. When we combine our experience with our knowledge of the Scriptures, we can stand solidly when the rough times attempt to knock us over.

  • Verses 5-8-Can the changes of pronouns begin a prayer for someone other than David. David changes from “I” to “the king” in these verses. This could be a messianic reference for God to present to the world the ultimate Solid Rock.

When we can look back to see God at work, know that He is at work, and this will lead us, always, to praise Him. Have you praised God for who He is and what He has done lately? Tell someone, write it down.

Media

Psalm 58

How angry do you get over sin in the world? Your sin? Are you praying for God to bring justice to those in the world acting like God but working evil (remember, this will include you)?

Psalm 58

The term in the superscription, “Altaschith,” means “Do not destroy.” It occurs in Psalms 57-59 and 75 (see our study of Psalm 57, 58, 59, and 75). Although the meaning is not clear, some have conjectured that it was a tune of a popular song. Isaiah 65.8 seems to reference it. It is of interest that David uses this term when he is confronted with the possibility of killing King Saul in 1 Samuel 26.9 (see our study of 1 Samuel 26). However, the setting of the psalm is best placed in the time of Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18), hence the placement in our studies.

This psalm expresses in detail what Jesus prayed in Matthew 6.9-13. Early Christian tradition has the psalm describing the treatment the Sanhedrin gave Jesus (Matthew 26.57-68). The division of the psalm presents three parts:

  • Verses 1-5-The Indictment of the Wicked Judges.

These verses present the truth of Romans 1-3, wherein Paul reminds us that none are righteous, all have fallen short, and we are born wicked. David describes these judges as either judging in place of God or acting as if they were gods (1). Verse one can also be translated “speaking righteousness in silence.” This would mean they know what to do but refuse to speak up for the truth. This reminds me of Phil Keaggy’s song “Little Ones.”

  • Verses 6-9-Imprecatory Prayer upon the Wicked Judges.

David’s prayer is quite graphic, presenting various metaphors for God’s judgment upon the ones who do evil. Judges are to represent God in terms of justice and righteousness. In this circumstance, and in the United States today, we find them far from the truth. The point that needs to be made in both periods of history is that the ones who perpetrate the evil are unaware that it is evil. They are doing what “seems right in their own eyes” and is accepted among those who are present. The book of Judges presents this truth. David prays for God to

    • break the teeth in their mouths;
    • tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
    • let them vanish like water that runs away;
    • like grass let them be trodden down and wither.
    • let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime;
    • like the untimely birth that never sees the sun.
    • sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

These are graphic, swift, and complete. He is asking God to annihilate their presence and memory from the face of the earth.

  • Verses 10-11-The Righteous Vindicated.

Whether in this life or the judgment to come (2 Corinthians 5.10), we will all receive righteous judgment (1 Corinthians 3.11-15). For those who know Christ as Savior, that judgment has been paid through His death. For those who do not know Christ as Savior, that judgment will be paid eternally by them. Who will pay your penalty?

How angry do you get over sin in the world? Your sin? Are you praying for God to bring justice to those in the world acting like God but working evil (remember, this will include you)?

Media

Psalm 40

Have you offered your all to God? He is worthy of it. Many of us live a syncretic life without even realizing what we are doing. Instead of referring to the Bible for our guidance, we turn to friends, web sites, and other we celebrate. When we do this, how can we expect the God who expects our all to listen to what we say. In our waiting, we have not truly waited (see our study of Psalm 103).

Psalm 40

Some consider this psalm to be two psalms connected. They state that Psalm 70 is merely a repeat of Psalm 40.13-17 and there once was a psalm that contained the first twelve verses. The reasoning behind this is the difference in the two sections. They appear to be reversed. The thanksgiving (1-8) is presented before the lament (11-17). This is mention for your information; I choose not to pursue the topic and count it as one psalm.

When this psalm is read, it is a reminder that patience is part of prayer. In fact the Hebrew is emphatic here. David actually writes that in his waiting, he is waiting. David cries out to God asking Him how long until He would answer David’s prayer. Notice it is not if He will answer but when He will answer. If there is a desire for a discussion on prayer, please respond and I will post one at a later date. Within this psalm David presents the great truth of many Old Testament prophets and of the words Paul gives us in Romans 12.1-2: God desires more than mere words or rote actions, He desires our heart, our mind, our strength, our all (1 Samuel 15.22; Psalm 51.16; Isaiah 1.11, 6.8; Jeremiah 6.20, 7.21-28; Amos 5.21-24; Micah 6.6-8; and to name a few). See our study on 1 Samuel 15 and Psalm 51 (as more are completed, links will be provided).

The psalm can be divided by the two types of psalms with the hinge verses of 9-10.

  • Verses 1-8-This is a praise to God for what He has done. David proclaims God’s greatness and then proclaims God’s great claim on our life (see sacrifices above). He wants all of us not a portion of us. He wants us completely, not syncretically. Verses 6-8 are echoed of Christ in Hebrews 10.5-9 for Christ’s perfect, complete, and final sacrifice for our sins (cf. Leviticus 17.11).
  • Verses 9-10-When God works, He expects us to proclaim that work among our friends.
  • Verses 11-17-See our study of Psalm 70

Many have attempted to place each verse in the mouth of Christ. They see the first portion of the psalm as Christ’s resurrection, the middle verses as Christ’s public ministry, and the final verses reflect the cross.

Have you offered your all to God? He is worthy of it. Many of us live a syncretic life without even realizing what we are doing. Instead of referring to the Bible for our guidance, we turn to friends, web sites, and other we celebrate. When we do this, how can we expect the God who expects our all to listen to what we say. In our waiting, we have not truly waited (see our study of Psalm 103).

Media

Psalm 26

Have God examine your heart today.

Psalm 26

This psalm begins and ends with the desire to bring blessing to the covenant God of Israel  (יְֽהוָה).  David sees a way for this to occur in his life through his integrity, his moral uprightness or righteousness. We find this can only be found in a person who has a right relationship with God and who walks in fellowship with Him.

Due to the topic of this psalm, David’s integrity and God’s grace, many declare that this psalm was written before his failing with Bathsheba. However, the false accusations and the mood of the psalm place it about the time of Absalom’s rebellion with all the false accusations coming against David. This is why it is placed here, in this study, and not prior to 2 Samuel 11.

The words of David, to some, seem proud and boisterous. However, they are no different from his words in Psalm 139.23 where he asks God to search his heart.

Someone once said, “Look at others and be distressed; look at self and be depressed; look at Jesus and you will be blessed.” The thoughts of this anonymous saying present themselves in this psalm. David encourages us to look and examine ourselves (1-5), to focus ourselves on the God of our covenant (6-10), and continue to serve Him (11-12). The only way to truly be blessed is to realize that we are servants of the Most High and serve others in His name. This is true life.

Verses 1-5-Are you living the life God created for you to live? Examine yourself today.  Read our study on Psalm 1 for a call to examine your life.

Verses 6-10-When we look at ourselves, we can get depressed. When we look to others, we can get upset or frustrated or proud. When we focus on God, we can walk on water and we can also see the standard to which He has called us. It is not us or our world that is our standard, it is He who created us who is the standard (Romans 3.23).

In verses 3–5, David presents six reasons for his integrity:

  1. He calls on God’s grace, not his works.
  2. He basis his daily walk on the truth of God’s Word, not his desires, which only someone indwelt with the Spirit of God can claim.
  3. He proclaims that he has not joined in with others whose purpose is to walk away from God.
  4. He refuses to walk with those who have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3.1-5).
  5. He does not gather together with those who seek to do evil. The congregation he seeks is where he can serve God by serving others.
  6. He refuses to commune with those who propose wickedness. He knows he sits at God’s table (see our study of Psalm 23).

How do you measure up to these six reasons?

Verses 11-12-God calls us, knows us, will conform us ultimately into the image of His Son; He called us, He made us righteous, and He will bring it to completion (Romans 8.28-30 and Philippians 1.6). It is all about Him, not us. He has chosen to use His body, the church, as the chosen instrument to help our conformity to His image through the work of the Holy Spirit. Are you involving yourself in the local congregation? Are you actively praising God by serving others there? If not, you are not walking in integrity. This is the heart of this psalm, David’s desire to worship God with God’s people (6-8). David knew in order to do this he needed to be a man in right relationship with God and in fellowship with Him. Jesus stated this in Matthew 5.23-24.

Have God examine your heart today.

2 Samuel 18

2 Samuel 18 (For the background see our studies in 2 Samuel 16 and 17)

Even this early on, David seems to have lost his trust in his relative Joab. Joab was the commander of David’s army. He may have been on Absalom’s side for a time (2 Samuel 17.25 may or may not indicate this). We do know in 1 Kings 2.28 that he did follow David’s other son, Adonijah. Dividing the troops into three companies could have held a twofold purpose. Three companies going into battle provide a common offensive and defensive stand (a central company with two wings or the point, the main company, and a rearguard on the march) but also provides David with at least one company if two of the leaders turn traitor.

Verses 1-18 present the means of Absalom’s death by the hand of Joab as an act of God (19). Verses 19-32 present the news being delivered to David. Verse 33 is David’s reception of it. The repetition of Absalom and son is significant in Hebrew writing. There was great mourning on David’s part over the death of this son even though he was in rebellion.

I leave the chapter unfinished. I will continue it another day.

2 Samuel 17

If there is a request for a study on suicide, I will gladly post one. Please let me know.

2 Samuel 17 (See our study of 2 Samuel for information on David’s mole, Hushai)

This passage can be seen through the activity of Hushai. He advises Absalom on how to capture David against the sound advice of Ahithophel (1-14) and advises David on how to escape (15-29).

If Absalom listened to Ahithophel and pursued David, David would have been captured and killed. Hushai knew this and went into immediate action. He convinced Absalom, by the power of God, to disregard Ahithophel although he was considered to be God’s prophet (see previous study in 2 Samuel 16). When Absalom listened to Hushai’s advice over Ahithophel, Ahithophel knew he was a doomed man. He knows Hushai’s advice would fail, and Absalom would be capture or killed, and that he would be executed. This is why he decided to commit suicide (23). See our study of Psalm 55.

There are spies throughout the land seeking to help David and hurt David. He escapes to safety. A note of interest is where David was when these betrayals took place. He was in Jerusalem, started toward the Mount of Olives, and left via the Kidron and Hinnom Valleys. This was the same path Jesus took when He was to be betrayed by Judas. For Bahurim see our study in 2 Samuel 16.

If there is a request for a study on suicide, I will gladly post one. Please let me know.

2 Samuel 16

2 Samuel 16

The opening of this chapter and the conclusion of the matter in 2 Samuel 19.24-30 (see our study) presents the truth of the proverb that states what a man says seems true until the other side is heard (Proverbs 18.17). Ziba, who we introduced in our study of 2 Samuel 9, presents his case that Mephibosheth (see the same study) is attempting to bring back the kingdom of Saul.

The chapter can be outlined according to the characters introduced:

  • Verses 1-4-Ziba the Liar. Ziba lied to David about the character of Mephibosheth. Since there were two extra donkeys, do you suppose one was for Mephibosheth and the other for Ziba? Why do you think David believed him? Satan is the Liar who also tells half-truths, to which of his lies do you listen?
  • Verses 5-8-Shimei the Accuser. Being a relative of Saul and a resident of Bahurim, Shimei may have had a few reasons for hating David. He felt David stole the throne from the Benjamites and that David disgraced Saul’s daughter Michal by humiliating her second husband in the city of Bahurim (2 Samuel 3.16, see our study). The ranting of Shimei was more of a curse on David than an attempt to hurt him physically. He was more or less throwing stones at David to get rid of him much like someone would do to a stray dog (13-14). Shimei stated he was speaking on behalf of God. Whether he was or not, we cannot tell; however, David believed he could have been (10).
  • Verses 9-14-Abishai the Avenger. Abishai is still protecting David, his king (see our study of 1 Samuel 26). He uses the imagery of the dog in his attack on Shimei.
  • Verses 15-23-Ahithophel the Traitor. Ahithophel convinces Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines in the presence of all Jerusalem. This was in fulfillment of the consequences of David sleeping with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). This advice is will be used again with Adonijah in 1 Kings 2.19-25.

The last few verses of this chapter will set the stage for the surprise turn of events in the next chapter.

Psalm 55

Ahithophel caused David much grief in his betrayal. He eventually hung himself when he realized he had nowhere else to go due to his betrayal. This should remind you of Judas in the New Testament account of the betrayal of Jesus.

Psalm 55

This psalm was written by David in response to what his father-in-law, Ahithophel, did to him in 2 Samuel 15 (see our study). This is a consequence of David’s sin with Ahithophel’s granddaughter, Bathsheba (see our study of 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12 along with the Consequences of David’s Sin). Ahithophel was a trusted counselor who joined in Absalom’s rebellion in response to David’s mistreatment of his family. His deception and treason caused David much grief as is evident in this psalm (13).

David will ask us to stop and ponder (selah) what he has written twice.

  • Verses 1-8-David’s desire to flee is overturned by his desire to present his case to the God of the Universe.

Selah: What drives you to your knees? Do you seek Him or an escape from your circumstances? Trusting Him to carry you through the tough times is the only way of escape that is biblical (1 Corinthians 10.12-13().

  • Verses 9-18-This is David’s response to what is happening in Jerusalem without leadership. Chaos occurs where no leader is present. Absalom was not a leader but a usurper. This is why we need God to be our leader for Satan, the only other alternative, is a usurper.

Verse 16 is the turning point of the psalm. David states “But I will call upon.” Despite the circumstances, we need to turn to God for help, comfort, and direction.

Selah: What is your “But” in life?

  • Verses 19-23-David describes Ahithophel now as an enemy. I wonder if this is what a divorced person feels toward their former spouse. In all this, David still seeks God. Verse 22 reminds us of the words of Jesus in Matthew 11.29-30 and Peter in 1 Peter 5.6-7.

Ahithophel caused David much grief in his betrayal. He eventually hung himself when he realized he had nowhere else to go due to his betrayal. This should remind you of Judas in the New Testament account of the betrayal of Jesus.

　Media

Psalm 28

What does the silence of God mean to you (1)? When you pray, does He seem distant? When you read His Word, does it seem hollow? Why? Sometimes it is because we have sinned. Other times it is because He wants us to rely and trust in a greater way on Him. Can you think of other reasons?

Psalm 28

This psalm is like the other lamenting psalms we have looked at (see our study of Psalm 13 for an example). David makes his plea to God, describes what is happening, and praises God for the answer. The circumstances do not determine our joy, it is He to whom we look that determines our joy. This psalm could have been written during David’s fleeing from Saul or from Absalom. As with Psalm 13, I look at it as an attempt to escape his son Absalom, thus the placement in our studies. Verse two implies that David has been in Jerusalem and has established the Tent of Meeting as the sanctuary. If he were fleeing from Saul, neither of these would have occurred.

The first five verses sound like Absalom’s words in 2 Samuel 15 (see our study). Absalom was undermining the authority of David with words that caused others to deem David as weak.

What does the silence of God mean to you (1)? When you pray, does He seem distant? When you read His Word, does it seem hollow? Why? Sometimes it is because we have sinned. Other times it is because He wants us to rely and trust in a greater way on Him. Can you think of other reasons?

Psalm 13

He is still hurting and it appears that his enemies have the upper hand. What has changed in all this is David’s view of God. Who is it that you serve?

Psalm 13

As with all laments/complaints we have, this psalm is an exemplar of how we should handle our situation. In this psalm David brings his complaint to God (1-2) not to those around him. He then asks of God to help him through this time (3-4), he does not ask for others to help him through by any means at all. He finalizes the prayer with praise (5-6). When we take our complaints to people who cannot do anything about it or who will handle it without godliness, we end up bitter and unfulfilled. When we take our complaints to the One who can do something about it and He will do it thoroughly and with justice, we will be praising not complaining. The next time you have an injustice in your life, take it to the Lord in prayer. By the way, David’s complaint was that either Saul or Absalom was attempting to kill him, what is your complaint?

David shows real pain in the first two verses. He states that he is hurting, it seems as if God has forgotten him, and his enemies are victorious. Whether these are accurate statements is not the point, the point is that David feels isolated. He is hurting, he thinks God isn’t there because he thinks the ones who hate him are victorious. The only one that is accurate is that David is hurting. He presumes the other two. His prayer in verse three is for God to give him insight into the truth (read Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1). When this is done, praise happens. He is still hurting and it appears that his enemies (2) have the upper hand. What has changed in all this is David’s view of God. Who is it that you serve?