Psalm 37
Instruction and encouragement to live for the Lord.
- This Psalm is an alphabetic acrostic—each line follows the order of the Hebrew alphabet.
- The key or theme verses are verses 9, 11, 22, 29.
- How does this Psalm teach the Mosaic covenant (cf. Deut 28: 1, 15)?
Psalm 36
Praying for a righteous God’s protection from sinners.
1–4 The character of the ungodly
5–9 The goodness of God
10–12 The prayer of God’s people
- What effect does sin have (vv. 2–4)?
- How does David respond to the threat wicked sinners levied against him?
Psalm 35
Prayer for God to judge evildoers and vindicate the righteous.
1–10 Earnest plea to the Lord to destroy David’s enemies
11–18 David’s case against his enemies
19–28 A call for God’s judgment on David’s enemies
- How is the Lord portrayed in verses 1–3?
- How does each of the three stanzas end?
- As you read David’s calls for God to destroy evildoers, keep in mind (1) Israel was God’s chosen nation, (2) God was their king, (3) David was God’s chosen king, (4) attacks against Israel and her king were attacks on God.
Psalm 34
Praise the Lord and reverently seek and trust Him.
1–7 Praising God for answered prayer
8–14 Exhortation to fear the Lord
15–18 Assurance of the Lord’s care
19–22 Assurance of the Lord’s protection
- How do verses 11–14 reflect the Mosaic covenant?
- In verses 15–18 note how the Lord’s care is described
Psalm 33
Praise of and trust in a holy, sovereign, and good God.
1–3 Call to praise the Lord
4–9 Praise God as Creator
10–12 Praise God as sovereign
13–15 Praise God as ruler
16–19 Praise God as deliverer
20–22 Trust in the Lord
- How is God’s sovereignty described in verses 10–11? Think through what is said here.
- What attribute of God is singled out in verse 21?
Psalm 32
God’s grace in the forgiveness of sins.
1–2 The blessing of sins forgiven
3–5 Confession of sin
6–10 Encouragement to seek the Lord
11 Call for praise
- Could OT saints know and experience forgiveness of sins?
- What can you learn from verses 3–5 about sin’s effects in true believers? Do you feel this way? How should believers respond?
- What are the contrasts in verses 10–11?
Psalm 31
Trusting God in difficult times.
1–8 Praying for deliverance
9–13 Sorrowful effect of slander
14–18 Committed trust in God
- Jesus quoted verse 5 on the cross (Luke 23:46); Stephen similarly (Acts 7:59); Peter taught it (1 Pet 4:19).
- Often when people speak evil about you (called slander) you must trust the Lord through it instead of trying to clear your own name (v. 13).
- When life is hard cry out to the Lord (vv. 8–13) and never lose faith in Him (vv. 14–18).
Psalm 30
Praising God for healing and restoration.
1–5 Praising God
6–10 Remembering God’s deliverance
11–12 Vowing to praise God
- Verse 5 is a great verse only believers can claim.
- What was David’s attitude when things went well (v. 6)? Do you do this?
- Why does God do verse 11?
Psalm 29
Praising the King of creation.
1–2 Call for praise
3–9 The glory and power of God’s Word
10–11 Song of praise
- The “cedars of Lebanon” were the greatest of trees. How do they compare to the Lord?
- What does all creation do?
Psalm 28
A prayer for God’s deliverance from wicked enemies.
1–2 Call for God’s attention
3–5 Deliverance from the wicked
6–9 Praising God for his protection
- Why will God judge the wicked (vv. 4–5)?
- What are some differences between the righteous and the wicked in this psalm?
Psalm 27
Trust in and praying for the Lord’s protection.
1–6 Trusting in the Lord
7–12 Prayer for deliverance
13–14 Trusting in the Lord
- Meditate on verses 2–3. Aren’t these wonderful expressions of faith?
- Think of all the things in life that you “want.” What is the “one thing” (v. 4) you want?
- What protected David from despair (v. 13)?
Psalm 26
A prayer of love for and faithfulness to the Lord.
1–8 Testifying of love for and faithfulness to the Lord
9–12 Praying for protection from the end of the wicked
- Note what David said was necessary for worshipping God (v. 6). How do you prepare?
- How did David feel about OT worship (vv. 6, 8, 12)?
- “Level place” (v. 12) is a figure of speech for a godly life experiencing God’s blessings.
