Psalm 25
A prayer to the God of the covenant for forgiveness and deliverance.
1–3 Trusting God in times of distress
4–7 Prayer for guidance and forgiveness
8–15 Depending on God’s covenant blessings
16–22 Prayer for deliverance
- What characterizes true faith (vv. 1–7)?
- Verse 14 describes the intimate friendship the Lord has with believers
- In times of great trouble and turmoil what did David do? How did he respond?
Psalm 24
A hymn announcing the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem.
1–2 God’s sovereignty over all creation
3–6 The character God requires
7–10 Announcing the Lord’s entrance
- “Hands” (v. 4) represents your life (you do things with your hands). What is required to be accepted by God?
- What is involved with seeking the Lord (vv. 3–6)? Are you?
Psalm 22
Crying to the God of Israel for help and deliverance.
1–10 David’s destitution and trust
11–21 David’s suffering and prayer
22–31 David’s praise
- How long had David experienced this trouble? How long did he seek the Lord?
- Not David’s understanding of God throughout this psalm. How did that guide him through this trial? How could that help you? How well do you know the Lord?
- David’s trust in God was rooted in truth. How did this help his perspective of things? How can you do this?
Psalm 23
The Lord’s protection and provision for his people.
1–4 The Lord’s shepherding care
5–6 The Lord’s abundant provision
- Why do believers have no need to fear (v. 4)?
- What is David’s confidence in verse 6 based on?
Psalm 21
Praising God for past and future victories.
1–7 Praising God for victories own
8–13 Trusting God for victories future
- The word “salvation” (v. 1) must be understood in its context. In Psalm 21, what did God deliver David from?
- Verse 7, literally in the middle of the psalm, centers everything on the main point. What is the main point?
- In verse 11, Israel’s king was chosen by God and responsible to Him, because God ruled Israel. Thus, when Israel’s enemies attacked Israel they were attacking God.
Psalm 19
The revelation of God in creation and Scripture.
1–6 God’s greatness is revealed in creation
7–14 God’s grace is revealed in Scripture
- From verses 2–6, what part of creation does not see God’s glory? What is the point of these verses then?
- In contrast to God’s revelation in creation, what does His revelation in Scripture do?
Psalm 18
A hymn of praise to God for delivering David from his enemies and establishing his rule over them.
1–3 Opening praise
4–19 God’s deliverance
20–29 The basis of God’s deliverance
30–45 God’s deliverance remembered
46–50 Closing praise
- Verses 20–24 is not religious boasting but testimony of faithfulness. Even though David was king, did he need to obey God? Why?
Psalm 20
Trusting in God alone for help and blessing.
1–5 Prayer for God’s help
6–9 Trust in the sovereign God
- What is the expectation of god’s people (v. 6)?
- Why is verse 7 true? What would be a modern day application?
Psalm 17
A prayer for God’s protection and deliverance
1–5 Prayer from the righteous
6–12 Request for God’s protection
13–15 Prayer for God’s deliverance
- What kept David from a life of sin (vv. 4–5)?
- Under the Mosaic Law, what could the righteous believer expect from God (Deut 28:7)? How does that help you understand David’s testimony (vv. 3–5) and request (vv. 1–2, 6–15)?
- What is the difference between the believer’s and unbeliever’s portion (v. 14)?
Psalm 16
Trusting God when others don’t.
1–4 God’s people trust Him and have no part in false worship
5–6 God’s people praise Him for His provisions
7–11 God’s people praise Him for His help and salvation
- In verses 2–3, who does David delight in? Is there significance to how they are tied together?
- David praises God for the blessings he enjoyed (vv. 5–6)
- How did David meditate? Was his mind blank? What filled his mind? What can you learn from this about biblical meditation?
Psalm 15
The character of a godly worshiper.
1 Who will see the Lord
2 Godly character
3–5a Godly character lived out
5b God’s promise
- What is emphasized in verses 2–5? Acts of religious worship and devotion?
- What is a “reprobate” (v. 4)? In the theocratic kingdom, why should he be “despised”?
Psalm 14
God’s description of the fool and deliverance of His people.
1–3 Character of the fool
4–6 The fool contrasted with God’s people
7 Prayer for deliverance
- The atheism of this psalm is rooted in the heart and expressed in deeds—a practical atheism.
- How do these unbelievers view and treat God’s people (v. 4)?
- How does David respond?
