God – Page 4 – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 10

If our society reflects what the members of the society do or allow to happen, then what does our society say about the church? About our God? What can we do about it?

Psalm 10

See Psalm 9 for explanation.

Verses 1-2-This verse appears to be the antithesis to Psalm 9.16. However, David is asking for God to come and do what He has been known to do–protect the persecuted and afflicted.

Verses 3-4-Psalm 14.1states it all: Only a fool would say there is no God. We may not say it, but are we so greedy for gain and power that we live it? (See our study of Psalm 14 and Psalm 53).

Verses 5-6-Those who do not know God should be more frightened about life than they are. Psalm 49.11, Ecclesiastes 8.11, and Revelation 18.7 all attest to this truth.

Verses 7-11-When people live this way, their society becomes like them (Psalm 55.10-11). The characteristics of the people become the way of life for the society in which they live.

Verses 12-18-David calls God to action much like He did in Psalm 9.12. Micah 5.9 presents this truth as well. God will vindicate Himself and His cause. He is the helper of the helpless (2 Timothy 1.12). This would include you and me.

If our society reflects what the members of the society do or allow to happen, then what does our society say about the church? About our God? What can we do about it?

Psalm 9

Although these two Psalms should be studied together, I have chosen to study them separately. In most ancient manuscripts (Septuagint and Vulgate), these two Psalms form one Psalm.

Psalm 9

Although Psalm 9 and 10 should be studied together, I have chosen to study them separately. In most ancient manuscripts (Septuagint and Vulgate), these two Psalms form one Psalm. There are at least four reasons for pairing them together:

They form a partial acrostic. Psalm 9 contains 11 of the first twelve letters of the twenty-two letter Hebrew alphabet and Psalm 10 contains seven of the final ten letters.
Similarities in words and style
Subject matter. Although Psalm 9 deals with the nations and Psalm 10 deals with Israel, they both speak on judgment.
Of all the Psalms in Book One of the Psalms, Psalm 10 is the only one without a superscription.

With that presented, let us turn our attention to Psalm 9.

Verses 1-2-David begins with words that should always be on our lips: Praise to God (Psalm 146.2) for whom He is and for what He has done (see Psalm 8). Are you praising God with all that He has given you to praise Him? What is it in your life that is not praising Him?

Verses 3-4-David sees that God is actively responding to his prayers and bringing justice upon the earth.

Verses 5-6-The judgment is eternal in nature, even to the point that the memory of them will perish too. Is this established in eternity or does it apply to history?

Verses 7-8-God will judge the world righteously through Jesus Christ (Acts 17.24-31).

Verses 9-10-God does not forsake His people. He protects them. He protects the oppressed as well. How?

Verses 11-12-God is righteous and will not let those who shed blood “get away with murder” (Genesis 9.5 and Nahum 1.2-6).

Verses 13-14-David calls out to God to bless him with God’s grace. He calls on God’s mercy so he may praise God and bring testimony of how good God is to the world.

Verses 15-16-The nations will know there is a God who is mighty in power and righteous in judgment. Exodus 7.5 states this and the ten plagues illustrate this truth.

Both terms, Higgaion and Selah, ask us to ponder the great truths mentioned in the previous section. How righteous is the God you serve?

Verse 17-David expresses the grief that the godless will not see God; their paths lead to destruction.

Verse 18-Does David merely mean the needy and the poor? Or, can he mean all those who see themselves in need of God and poor in spirit (Matthew 5.1-12)?

Verses 19-20-The world seems to have forgotten that we are mere men and God is God.

Selah asks us to ponder the great truths mentioned in the previous section. How righteous is the God you serve? Does He take care of us?

The world will not get it right until they bow in submission to the God of the Universe. Until then, we need to be in prayer for God to intervene and bring justice and righteousness to the front of the line. Are you praying for God to intervene?

Psalm 8

Consider your daily routine. Does it proclaim the greatness of God from beginning to end? If so, praise Him. If not, what can be done differently?

Psalm 8

The Introduction to the Psalms explains the Gittith.

Verse 1-The earth is a proclamation of the glory and majesty of God. When you see His creative process from an atom to a galaxy, what is your response?

Verse 2-Read Matthew 21.12-17 and 1 Corinthians 1.26-30 to enlighten this verse. When we praise God, we are using a defensive mechanism to thwart those who speak evil. How often are you praising God during the course of the day? The more we praise, the less we hear from the enemies of our faith.

Verses 3-4-This seems to be a quote from Job 7.17-18 and is quoted in Hebrews 2.6-8. The answer to this question is found throughout the Scriptures and summed up in the next few verses.

Verses 5-8-The translation of “elohim” ( ) in verse five has some controversy in it and can change the outlook of the psalm. David is saying either that God has made mankind a little lower than angels (KJV) or than Himself (NASB). See the footnote for both. If we reference Genesis 1.26-28, we can argue the NASB translation of “God.” Our dignity is found in being like Him. If there is no God, there is no basis for dignity in man. It is in being created lower than Him that we can fulfill the command of Genesis 1 and Psalm 8, which is being a plenipotentiary (one who rules in place of another as representing the other).

Another argument for the word being translated as the NASB presents is 1 Corinthians 6.3, which informs us that we will judge angels.

Verse 9-The psalm closes with the words it began. This sandwiching effect reminds us that all that is contained within these verses are to proclaim how great He is.

Consider your daily routine. Does it proclaim the greatness of God from beginning to end? If so, praise Him. If not, what can be done differently?

Psalm 6

The circumstances for the writing of this psalm are unknown. It appears that David is sick and feels he is about to die. In this state he writes this penitential psalm (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). When seeking to confess sins, these are great psalms to read as part of confession when asking God to restore our fellowship with Him (1 John 1.9).

Psalm 6

Verses 1-3-David feels as though his bones are melting away within him (Psalm 32) or are broken in pieces (Psalm 51). When we are not feeling well, both physically and spiritually, we feel like this. This call for healing his bones is actually a call for forgiveness. David sounds like he is depressed because of the attacks of his family, friends, and enemies. David is also depressed due to his sin. What does depression do to us?

Verses 4-5-David calls to God to heal him because of the praise that would be given Him and because of His goodness, His loving-kindness (Psalm 88.10-12 and Isaiah 38.18).

Verses 6-7-David weeps over his illness just as Job did (Job 17.7).

Verses 8-10-After the tears come praises.

Think about this Psalm. David is in grief. He presents his petition to God. He then turns to praising God. This is how it should be. Is it how it is with you?

2 Samuel 4

This chapter tells of the death of Ish-bosheth, which closes the lineage of Saul, save one. There always seems to be one.

2 Samuel 4

This chapter tells of the death of Ish-bosheth, which closes the lineage of Saul, save one. There always seems to be one. This one is Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was five when his grandfather, Saul, and father, Jonathan, were killed. It was at this point he was crippled for life. His story is one of promises fulfilled for the sake of Jonathan. There will be more of this story later (2 Samuel 9.1–13; 16.1, 4; 19.24–30). See our study of 2 Samuel 9.

Today’s story is about two leaders of Ish-bosheth’s army. When they heard that Abner died and that Ish-bosheth became ill bringing down the morale of the nation, they thought their best interest was to assassinate Ish-bosheth. They then take the head to David thinking, as did the Amalekite in chapter one, that they would be rewarded for killing David’s enemy. They did not realize that David did not consider Saul his enemy but his king. To kill a member of Saul’s family was treason. So, he had the two men killed.

David knew his life was still under God’s protection and no harm would befall him under that care. He had no reason to kill Ish-bosheth. Do we see our life like that? Are we standing on the promises of God?

Have religious wars started for the same reasons we have seen in these chapters? Where is God in all this? He surely is not behind them.

2 Samuel 3

Verse one gives the ending of the story of the transfer of the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David (2 Samuel 1-4). Ish-bosheth’s (or Abner’s) reign will weaken to the point that David’s reign, which is growing stronger, prevails.

2 Samuel 3

David was a polygamist. This chapter introduces his seven wives as does 1 Chronicles 3.1-4. His family tree is interesting to peruse. His six sons are mentioned, but not his daughter Tamar whose brother was Adonijah. These children will cause David much grief as the story unfolds in 2 Samuel. As we continue our studies, we will encounter one of the most dysfunctional families in history.

Abner is still in control in this chapter until his death. He is accused of attempting to become king and removing Ish-bosheth by sleeping with Saul’s concubine. This will be explained further when we get to 1 Kings 1 where the same thing happens with David and Adonijah.

In this accusation by Ish-bosheth, Abner transfers his loyalty to David. He promises to unite Israel under David from Dan, which is in the far north, to Beersheba, which is in the far south. David and Abner came to terms to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David. The first term was that David would receive his first wife Michal back into his house. This was done to strengthen David’s claim to the throne.

This chapter unfolds fear in the lives of each character mentioned. Abner feared losing control, Ish-bosheth feared Abner, Paltiel feared Abner and losing Michal, Abner feared Joab, the people feared the Philistines.

All these happenings with Abner were while Joab was away. If you remember from the last chapter, Abner killed Joab’s brother Asahel. Joab was seeking revenge and was angered with David for allowing Abner to leave. He disguised it as fear for David’s life and kingdom. Under false pretenses, Joab has Abner meet him by a cistern just north of Hebron. This is important because Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 20.7). The men could not seek revenge on Abner in Hebron, so the took him just outside the city. This was far enough away for Joab and his brother, Abishai, to meet with and revenge the death of their brother. They killed Abner in the same manner that he killed their brother, a wound to the stomach. As David hears of the matter, he washes his hands of the deed proclaiming innocence (Deuteronomy 21.6-9).

The nation and the king mourn the loss of Abner. David does so because Abner was a prince, part of God’s anointed under Saul’s kingdom. Just as David mourned and eulogized Saul and Jonathan in chapter 1, so he does here. David proclaims his nephews are too violent for him. Yet, they are considered the three heros of his army. The curse on their family is worthy of discussion. However, it will wait for another day.

Where do you find your strength? David found it in the Lord, Abner found it in politics, Paltiel found it in Michal (a claim to the throne), Ish-bosheth found it in his title, and Joab found it in anger. Whom are you imitating today?

2 Samuel 1

Today we begin the second book of Samuel. Where 1 Samuel was the life and ministry of Samuel, the rise and fall of Saul, and the rise of David, 2 Samuel is the life of David from his reign until the time just before his death. It covers approximately 40 years (1010-970 B. C.). Second Samuel also begins precisely where 1 Samuel left the story. In the original Hebrew the two books are one. Our Bibles follow the pattern of the Septuagint in separating the book in two parts.

2 Samuel 1

David returned to Ziklag after pursuing, overtaking, and defeating the Amalekites who had destroyed Ziklag and taken the people as prisoners (1 Samuel 30). David did not know what had happened at Gilboa and Saul’s death (1 Samuel 31). When the Amalekite (who traveled from Gilboa to Ziklag, about 90 miles), remember Saul was to have destroyed all the Amalekites but did not (1 Samuel 15), came to him with the news of Saul’s death, David was surprised. It seems as those this man was seeking the approval of David for killing Saul, thinking he might be rewarded with a post or other honor. The man reported that Saul asked him to kill him. Remember that Saul did ask his armorbearer to kill him. He refused to do the deed because it was his job to keep the king alive. The Amalekite, in seeking honor, said that he did what Saul requested. He then displayed Saul’s crown as proof of his words.

David, who was unwilling to kill Saul when given the opportunity (1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26), mourned the loss of his pursuer and his king, and his friend. David then killed the man who reported and falsified his testimony for killing the Lord’s anointed (2 Samuel 4.10).

David then writes a song, “The Song of the Bow” because Saul died by the hand of an archer and the tribe of Benjamin were well-known archers. It is contained in the lost book of Jashar (Joshua 10.13). This would be a great find for historical reading. The song is not included in the book of Psalms. Yet, it does read like a psalm.

David still regarded Saul as God’s anointed and sought to honor him as such. He honors his friend, Jonathan, in the same manner. These are the mighty and noble of Israel. They will no longer grace the land nor the people. David is mourning his king (some would consider Saul as David’s enemy) and his best friend.

When we hear of the demise of someone who was out to get us, do we mourn or rejoice? Where is our heart in this? Read Proverbs 24.17 and Romans 12.14-16 for God’s instruction on what to do in these situations.

Saul, in retrospect, is the epitome of 1 Corinthians 10.12 and a warning to each of us. Saul began standing tall and fell in dishonor. When we think we can handle life by ourselves without taking God’s Word into consideration, we are bound to fall. First Corinthians 4.1-2 reminds us the measure of our success is not our talent but our faithfulness to what God has commanded.

Psalm 18

This Psalm is ascribed to 2 Samuel 22.1-51. Although it is presented at this point in 2 Samuel, it is ascribed to God delivering David from his enemies including Saul. Since Saul dies in 1 Samuel 31, historically it would fit here in our chronological study of the Old Testament.

Psalm 18

“Hosanna” by Hillsong does a good job presenting the truth of these verses.

This is a Royal Psalm

Verses 1-3-David gives God the praise for deliverance from his enemies. In the superscription, Saul is differentiated from David’s enemies. After all that Saul did to David, David still would not count Saul as one of his enemies. How do we treat those in our sphere of influence? Do we count all who are against us as our enemies, even if they once were friends? Do we give God credit for deliverance from all our enemies? When we stand at the end of the day, do we praise Him for bringing us through that day?

David also uses a strong word for love in these verses. Beyond this chapter, this love is used exclusively for God’s love for man. 2 Samuel 22 does not include this verse because it is more a public matter than the private matter of Psalm 18.

David sates that he will cause God’s glory to shine. This is the essence of “halal” or praise and is the root of hallelujah.

Verses 4-5-This verse reflects Psalm 116, in particular verse three. David expresses how he viewed life and how he perceived the situations in which he found himself. How honest are you before God about your life circumstances?
Verse 6-Again, David cries out to God expecting Him to hear David’s pleas. When we pray, do we think God will answer or even hear us?
Verses 7-15-These verses are reflected throughout the Scripture. Three places in particular are Psalm 29.3-9, Psalm 144.5-6, and Isaiah 30.30. The crux of these verses is that when God comes to the earth, it will be unmistakable that God is here. When we proclaim that we are believers, is it unmistakable for those around us?
Verses 16-19-God does deliver us from the hands of our enemies. Water in the Scripture usually denotes trouble. Do we lean on God or on our own strength to get us through the day? Paul reminds us that each day has enough evil of its own (Ephesians 5.16). In order for us to get through the day, we need to remember to call on the one who can set our feet on solid ground.
Verses 20-24-These verses seem to echo Saul’s words to David in 1 Samuel 24.19 and 1 Samuel 26.23. Could we say the same as David does here? Only in Christ. Romans 3.23-24 and Romans 4.23-24 remind us that only in Christ do we have righteousness.
Verses 25-30-Kevin Prosch put music to Revelation 15.3-4 and wrote “King of Saints.” I have not been able to find a recording of it. If someone has, let me know, it is worth listening to. Is our confidence solely in the hand of God or do we attempt to create our own strength and power? If the latter are true, we will fail.
Verses 31-42-Deuteronomy 32-33 and 1 Samuel 2.2 reflect the words that God is our Rock. Habakkuk 3.19 gives the picture of God placing our feet on firm ground.
Verses 43-45-David recalls what God has done for him and gives God the credit.
Verses 46-48-Once again, David gives God the credit and praises Him for all that He has done.
Verses 49-50-Romans 15 reminds us that we need to praise God wherever we go just as David does here (verse nine quotes this Psalm).

When the day is over, do we remember that it is God who enabled us to make it through the day? If so, have you praised Him for it? More often than not, when we are successful we take the credit (pride) and when we fail we blame God (pride).

Psalm 121

Verses 1-2-This verse has been used in songs to describe God’s help (“I Lift My Eyes Up”). Yet it is describing God’s help as contrary to the help others have received from the mountains (Jeremiah 3, particularly verse 23). Our help does not come from the mountains, as some suppose. The mountains are a source of danger, corruption, and syncretism. Our help comes from the God of Heaven. We look to the Creator for our help and not as the pagans who look to the creation. This is mentioned a few psalms later (Psalm 124.8)

Psalm 121

This is another Psalm of Ascents, or Pilgrim Psalms.

Verses 1-2-This verse has been used in songs to describe God’s help (“I Lift My Eyes Up“). Yet it is describing God’s help as contrary to the help others have received from the mountains (Jeremiah 3, particularly verse 23). Our help does not come from the mountains, as some suppose. The mountains are a source of danger, corruption, and syncretism. Our help comes from the God of Heaven. We look to the Creator for our help and not as the pagans who look to the creation. This is mentioned a few psalms later (Psalm 124.8)

Verses 3-4-The writer proclaims and praises who God is in these two verses.

Verses 5-6-Again, the writer praises God for who He is and for what He does.

Verses 7-8-Again, the writer is praising God.

This psalm is called a pilgrim psalm because it describes what God does for the pilgrim on his way to Jerusalem for the holy days. Reading through the psalm using a traveler as a walking metaphor, we can understand this better.

When we travel, we seek protection from robbers and the elements. Here the traveler seeks God’s protection from the scorching heat and the robbers by night. On the journey, they seek God’s firm foothold where their feet will walk. God provides protection from robbers because He needs no sleep, He provides protection from the elements because He is greater than they are, and He keeps them on the right path because He knows the beginning from the end.

On our journey through life, are we asking God to be our Guide and Protector? This is one of the benefits of having the Holy Spirit indwell us as believers. He is Protector and Guide in our journey through life (John 14.16-31 and 16.5-15). God protects us 24 hours a day. He keeps us all the time. The word “keep” is used six times in this chapter. He indeed cares for us. He keeps us to the very end (Jude 24).

1 Samuel 31

This is a short chapter highlighting the death of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. A parallel passage is 1 Chronicles 10.1-14. A note on why the two books of the Chronicles were written. They parallel, for the most part, 1 and 2 Samuel. However, they are written after the return from the exile in Babylon as a reminder of what is necessary for success in the kingdom.

1 Samuel 31

This is a short chapter highlighting the death of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. A parallel passage is 1 Chronicles 10.1-14 (cf. the study on 1 Chronicles 10). A note on why the two books of the Chronicles were written. They parallel, for the most part, 1 and 2 Samuel. However, they are written after the return from the exile in Babylon as a reminder of what is necessary for success in the kingdom.

This is a gruesome death. Saul was pierced with an arrow. He knew he was to die. He asked his armor-bearer to finish the deed lest he be tortured (Judges 9.54). He said he would not do it because his chief job was to ensure the king remained alive. Saul killed himself. The armor-bearer followed suit. This will play big in 2 Samuel 1. That day Saul’s sons died with him.

The Philistines found their bodies and triumphed throughout the land. They hung the bodies on a wall in Beth-Shan (Judges 1.27). Beth-Shan is about sixteen miles from what is known as the Sea of Galilee today (Sea of Chinnereth). It was later renamed Scythopolis which roughly translates to “city of barbarism” or “sin city.” The men of Israel in Jabesh-Gilead found out, they stole the bodies and buried them.