God – Page 6 – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 141

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

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 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?

1 Samuel 21-24

For the next few chapters, until the conclusion of the book, David is fleeing from Saul. We begin with David seeking sanctuary in a sanctuary. Good place to go, but not for bread and weapons. However, he found both there. Edomites are descended from Esau and are judged by God in Obadiah. We see their beginnings in Genesis 26.34-35 and Genesis 36. Esau rebels against his parents and pursues Canaanite women for wives. From this, an enemy of the Israelites springs. Saul has an Edomite as one of his leading shepherds. His name was Doeg. He tells Saul that David was protected and fed by the priests in Nob. In chapter 22 Saul orders the execution of the priest Ahimelech’s family because he helped David. The only person willing to carry out the order was Doeg. We will see David’s response to this later in 1 Samuel and in Psalm 52.

David goes to Gath with a sword of Goliath who was from . . . that’s right, Gath. When David goes to the city, the people recognize him as the soon-to-be-king. He fakes insanity and is let go.

In chapter 22 David is running from Saul toward the desolate cave of Adullum where the outcasts of Israel join his army. He takes care of his family by sending them to the Moabites. Refer to Ruth for background on the Moabites. This chapter shows the insane paranoia of Saul when he slaughters the descendants of Ahimelech for giving David bread (1 Samuel 21). Ahimelech gives Saul the background of David’s commitment to Saul. Saul still rejects David and kills Ahimelech’s family by the hand of Doeg. One, as always, escapes. His name is Abiathar. He proved faithful to David until David died. He was his high priest (Abiathar was the fourth generation from Eli).

Chapter 23 provides accounts of the relentless pursuit of Saul to kill David and David’s elude him. David stays in the wilderness of En-gedi during these days (cf. En-gedi and another En-gedi). As a bit of relief, David is introduced to Abiathar and Jonathan pledges his loyalty to David. It is strange that Saul could not find David but Jonathan could. When David wants to be found, he is; when he doesn’t want to be found, he isn’t. Does this sound like God?

Saul’s relentless pursuit continues in chapter 24. This time David could have killed Saul. Instead, David shows his loyalty to Saul because of his loyalty to God. Saul was relieving himself. The Hebrew states: “he covered his feet.” In other words, he was “dumping a load.” Saul relents from his relentless pursuit for a while. He will continue it in chapter 26. Here, however, Saul acknowledges that David will be king.

There are times we need to hide from those who pursue us, there are times we need to confront those who pursue us, and the time is always that we remain loyal to God’s Word and call in our life. Despite the circumstances, we need to remain true to His calling and purpose for us. How are you doing?

Psalm 59

Our reading for today brings us to Psalm 59. According to the title of this Psalm, these verses are describing what occurred in 1 Samuel 19.11.

Our reading for today brings us to Psalm 59. According to the title of this Psalm, these verses are describing what occurred in 1 Samuel 19.11. When reading the English, we lose the Hebrew concept that the title is part of the chapter. According to our English translation there are 17 verses. When reading the Hebrew there are 18 verses because the title in the English version is ascribed a verse. The title states that David wrote this to the chief musician, so it is a song, when he was being chased by Saul as written in 1 Samuel 19.11.

Verses 1-2 is David’s acknowledgment that there are men waiting to kill him.

Verses 3-4 David recognizes that the mighty, or the king, Saul, is behind all this. He also knows he did nothing to cause Saul to treat him this way. Can we honestly say this about ourselves? When people seek to do us harm, are we innocent?

Verse 5 shows David’s trust in the sovereign God who redeems his people from the hand of the enemy. Do you see the book of Exodus in this verse?

Selah-take a moment and consider what God has done in your life in terms of delivering you from people who sought your harm. If you can think of none, then praise Him for that and ask Him to continue protecting you.

Verses 6-7 and 14-15 describe the relentless attacks of those pursuing David.

Verses 8-10 describe God’s sovereignty, omniscience, and immanent. He knows our thoughts and those who oppose us. He meets us where we are and takes us where we should be. This is one reason Jesus is called Immanuel (God with us).

Verses 11-13 is asking God to do what will bring Him the most glory, to do what will draw people to Him.

Selah-take a moment and ponder what you are doing and for what you are praying. Do these bring others to God that they may know who He is and bring Him glory?

Verses 16-17 bring us to where God wants us to be in all circumstances. He wants us to rejoice in who He is and in what He is doing in the circumstances. Have you sang a song of praise to God lately? Try this one: Our God is an Awesome God (Michael W. Smith).

Be blessed and a blessing today as you remember that no matter where we are, God is with us. And, no matter the circumstances, He is wanting to be part of your life. And, remember, He allowed those circumstances.