Psalm 109
Crying to God for help when under attack.
1–5 Appeal to God for help
6–15 Asking God to judge evildoers
16–20 The wicked reap what they sow
21–29 Prayer for help
30–31 Promise to praise
- Remember, the prayer in vv. 6–20 is called imprecatory, or curses. It is based on the Mosaic Law—enemies of God’s people are enemies of God. also remember that all aspects of life under the Law were viewed as a whole, including national/political aspects.
- What application can be made from this psalm? Well, how did the psalmist respond to enemies? Who did he trust in? Scriptural truth guided him, not his flesh.
- From v. 27, what one thing did the psalmist want to see more than anything else?
Psalm 108
Trusting the Lord for help and deliverance.
1–5 Praising God’s love
6–13 Prayer for God’s help
- The locations in verses 7–8 represent all Israel. The nations in verse 9 represent Israel’s enemies. The point is God’s victorious and sovereign reign.
- As you read and rest in verse 13, think through what the psalmist said to get to this point.
Psalm 104
Praising God for his creation
1–4 God’s creation of the heavens
5–9 God’s creation of the earth
10–18 God’s care of all creation
19–23 God’s establishment of the cycles of life
24–26 God’s work in the seas
27–30 God’s rule over life
31–35 God’s greatness and glory in creation
- This psalm shows how you should respond to God’s creation. Do you have these responses? Use the outline to teach and train your heart and mind to do so.
- Verse 35 may seem out of place, but how do sinners and the wicked view the God of creation?
Psalm 107
The Lord delivers those who cry to him.
1–3 Call to praise the Lord
4–9 Wanderers delivered
10–16 Prisoners delivered
17–22 Sick delivered
23–32 Sea-farers delivered
33–42 God’s sovereign justice and mercy
- In the four situations in vv. 4–32, what did the various people do when they were in trouble (vv. 6, 13, 19, 28)? What application and encouragement can you take from that?
- What is the response you should have when the Lord shows love and mercy?
- How will you respond to verse 43?
Psalm 113
Praise the Lord for his greatness and goodness.
1–3 Call to praise
4–6 God’s greatness
7–9 God’s goodness
- “Name” refers to God’s character and attributes. What can you learn about God from this psalm? How should you respond?
- Note the three examples of God’s goodness (vv. 7–9). How have you experienced God’s goodness?
Psalm 112
Praising God for his blessings of the righteous.
1 Praise the Lord
2–9 The character of the godly
10 The end of the wicked
- What is the attitude of the true believer toward God’s commandments (v. 1)?
- Why do the godly not fear when they hear “bad news” (vv. 7–9)? Trials reveal the character and strength of your faith.
Psalm 111
Praising the Lord for his works.
1 Praise the Lord
2–9 God’s redemption
10 Fear the Lord
- Do you study the Lord’s works (v. 2)?
- “Hands” (v. 7) is a figure of speech for what God does. With that in mind, what is the point of v. 7a? Does God ever make a mistake or do wrong?
- Note v. 10—correct spiritual knowledge is the result of genuine faith, which involves “fear” and obedience. God gives wisdom as you obey him.
Psalm 110
The rule and reign of the Davidic king.
1–3 God established the Davidic king to rule for him on earth
4–7 God declares the Davidic king to rule victoriously as king-priest
- “Right hand” (v. 1) is the place of honor, second in command to God himself.
- The extent of the king’s rule would grow that there would be no opposition (v. 2).
- The king of Israel was involved in many aspects of temple worship, save those of the Aaronic priesthood (v. 4).
Psalm 103
Israel praises God for his love and compassion toward them.
1-5 Praising God for his blessings
6-19 God’s love and compassion toward Israel
20-22 All creation called to praise the Lord
- Is it possible you could “forget” what God has done for you (vv. 2ff)? What can you learn from this psalm how to avoid “forgetting?”
- How great is God’s love and mercy (vv. 8-19)? To whom is he merciful and compassionate (v. 13)?
Psalm 102
A prayer for help when in great trouble.
1-2 Opening cry for help
3-11 The trouble described
12-17 Comfort in the Lord
18-22 Recording God’s deliverance for future generations
23-28 Crying to a God who will protect his people
- “Owls” (v. 6) were associated with unclean places.
- In light of the psalmist’s trouble, to whom and what did his thoughts turn to (vv. 12-17)?
- What was one purpose why Scripture was written (v. 18)? Application?
Psalm 101
The Davidic king’s commitment to covenant faithfulness.
1 Opening praise
2-4 Personal commitments
5-8 National commitments
- The prayer in v. 2b is for God’s help with these commitments.
- Meditate and apply the commitments mentioned in verses 2-4.
- Why would Israel’s king be committed to the things mentioned in vv. 5-8? Think in relationship to God and the people.
Psalm 100
A call to worship and thanksgiving.
1-3 Worship the God of creation
4-5 Give thanks to the God of the covenant
- What would “gates” and “courts” refer to (v. 4)? What spirit and attitude should be present when one enters them? Application?
- “Lovingkindess…faithfulness” (v. 5) are key words of God’s covenant with Israel. He always loves and is always faithful because these are his attributes.
