Psalm 87
God’s love for Jerusalem
1–3 Jerusalem’s preeminent position among all Israel
4–7 Jerusalem’s preeminent position among all peoples
- What was so significant about Jerusalem?
- “Rahab” (v. 4) is a poetic way of referring to Egypt. This verse shows—as we will see in the prophets—that many Gentiles nations will be saved and look to Jerusalem
Psalm 86
A prayer for deliverance
1–4 Praying for God’s protection
5–7 Confidence that God hears
8–10 Praying to the only true God
11–13 Prayer of thanks and for godliness
14–17 Prayer for God’s protection
- This is a great psalm to read and meditate on in times of trouble and difficulty. OT passages can be heard in each verse—God’s Word should direct and color your prayers.
- Verses 8–10 are the center of the psalm—why does David pray to God?
- In verses 11–13 what specific things does David pray for? What is the reason/motivation for that? What has God done for you? How should that control you?
Psalm 85
A prayer for God to restore Israel
1–3 God’s past restoration of Israel
4–7 Prayer for God’s restoration now
8–13 The prerequisites and blessings of God’s salvation
- Why is God asked to graciously work in his people (v. 6)?
- What is the needed attitude to receive God’s salvation (vv. 8–9)?
Psalm 84
The blessedness of those who worship the Lord.
1–4 Longing for God’s house
5–7 The blessing of those who worship at Jerusalem
8–12 Prayer for Israel’s king
- What is meant by “whose strength is in You” (v. 5)?
- In this psalm the “heart” is demonstrated by what it longs for and is given to, namely, Bible-driven worship. In our day and age, what characterizes the righteous heart of a believer?
- In OT Israel, who was “anointed” (v. 9)?
Psalm 83
Praying for the Lord to glorify Himself over Israel’s enemies.
1–8 Calling on God to act
9–18 Calling on God to judge
- Who were these nations really fighting against? Do you see things from God’s perspective or this world’s?
- There were things Israel would need to do to fight battles, but their trust must always be in the Lord. What application should you make from this?
- What is the “ultimate goal” of all that God does? Is that seen in your life and your prayers?
Psalm 82
God’s judgment on wicked judges.
1 God judges all
2–4 Character of earthly judges
5–7 Assessment of earthly judges
8 Prayer for God’s justice
- The actions and attitudes in verses 3–4 are evidences of righteousness and saving faith.
- What did Solomon say was essential for wisdom (Prov 1:7)? From Psalm 82:5a, what is being said about these rulers?
- To whom are earthly rulers (“gods,” v. 6) responsible? What application can you draw from this?
Psalm 81
A feast psalm of reminder to serve the Lord alone.
1–5 Israel called to worship the Lord
6–10 Israel should only worship the Lord who delivered them from bondage
11–16 Israel called to obey the Lord so they would know His blessings
- This psalm would have been sung at one of the three annual feasts Israel was to observe (Passover, Feast of Weeks, or Tabernacles). Judging from the content of this psalm, what was an essential purpose of these feasts?
- Verse 7 refers to Exodus 17:1–6.
- How would this “history lesson” encourage Israel to serve God alone?
Psalm 80
A prayer for Israel’s spiritual and national renewal and restoration.
1–3 Cry for deliverance
4–7 Lament over God’s discipline
8–13 Remembering God’s blessing
14–19 Cry for restoration and renewal
- As you read this psalm compare it with Deuteronomy 30:1–10 and 2 Chronicles 7:14.
- What does “vine” refer to in this psalm? A literal vine? How do you know?
Psalm 79
A prayer for pardon and deliverance so praise may be given.
1–4 Lament
5–8 Prayer for forgiveness
9–11 Prayer for help
12–13 Desire to praise
- The historical context vv. 1–3 refers to is Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians in 586 b.c. (cf. 2 Kings 25).
- Note the reason the psalmist desired God’s forgiveness and help (v. 9). Is that your reason when you pray for such?
Psalm 78
A psalm admonishing trust in and loyalty to God because of His great works of deliverance.
1–8 Hear instruction to be faithful to God
9–16 The Northern Kingdom’s rebellion against God
17–53 Israel’s rebelliousness in the wilderness
54–64 Israel’s rebelliousness in the Promised Land
65–72 God’s election of Judah, Jerusalem, and David
- “Ephraim” (v. 9) refers to the Northern Kingdom which rebelled against God.
- As you read this psalm, note the different ways and reasons given for God’s anger toward Israel
- Is there anything about Israel that caused God to reward them? What themes repeat throughout?
Psalm 77
Moving from doubt to faith.
1–9 Doubts from current experience
10–20 Faith from God’s past works
- What is the psalmist currently experiencing (v. 2)?
- How does the psalmist respond? What does he do? Vv. 1, 11–12
- What controls the psalmist—genuine faith or present experience? What characteristics of genuine faith can you learn from this psalm?
Psalm 76
Praising God for His defense of Jerusalem.
1–3 God’s defense of Jerusalem
4–10 God’s victory over man’s wrath
11–12 All should fear the Lord
- Which seems greater, Jerusalem or the nations? And yet is that the issue? What application can you make?
- How great is God compared to man’s “greatness”?
