Psalm 13
Crying to God for help when gravely ill.
1–2 Cry to God when suffering
3–4 Plea for healing
5–6 Trusting and praising God for His care
- Have you ever felt this way (vv. 1–2)? Do you seek the Lord during such times as David did here?
- The psalmist’s eyes were “darkened” (v. 4) and the rest of the phrase shows that he is gravely ill. What is he asking God to do then?
- What changed David’s tone from the beginning of the psalm to the end?
Psalm 12
A cry for help when all seem to have fallen away.
1–4 The proud, worthless talk of unbelievers
5–8 The sure promises of the Lord
- What is so evil about flattery and boasting?
- What controls the wicked? What is his orientation and outlook?
- In the context (vv. 5–8) who do the pronouns in verse 7 refer to?
Psalm 11
Trusting in a righteous, sovereign God while the wicked threaten.
1–4 David trusts while others fear
5–7 God is still on the throne
- In verses 1–4, those with David saw the trouble coming and gave their assessment. Who didn’t they trust in?
- The wicked might seem to be winning, but what controls David?
Psalm 10
A cry for God to destroy the wicked.
1 Cry to the Lord
2–11 Description of the wicked
12–15 Appeal for God’s judgment of the wicked
16–18 Declaration of God’s protection
- As you read 1–11, how do things seem to appear from the psalmist’s perspective?
- What does the wicked think about God?
- How does the psalmist conclude? Is he in despair?
Psalm 9
A song of thanksgiving for the Lord’s judgment of wicked nations.
1–2 Thanksgiving to God
3–6 God is praised in the destruction of enemies
7–10 The Lord’s sovereignty and protection
11–14 Appeal for help
15–20 God’s judgment of wicked nations
- Who did David see as the King of Israel (v. 4)?
- Verse 5 is a theme of this Psalm; what nations did David defeat? What were their religious beliefs? (Think of Goliath! 1 Samuel 17:10, 26, 46.)
- As you read and apply these verses to our day and age, remember their original setting.
Psalm 8
Praising God for His greatness in creation.
1–2 God’s majesty in creation
3–Man’s insignificance and role in creation
9 God’s majesty in creation
- What do you think about when you view creation (v. 3)?
- How should this Psalm control how you view yourself?
- Note how the Psalm begins and closes.
Psalm 7
A call for a righteous God to judge between right and wrong.
1–2 David’s appeal for deliverance
3–5 David testifies of his righteousness
6–11 David’s call for justice
12–16 David declares God’s judgment on the wicked
17 David’s praise of thanksgiving
- How is David’s testimony here (vv. 3–5) consistent with the Mosaic Law?
- How does verse 9 summarize the entire Psalm?
- In times of distress, what did David do? What did he not do? What application can you make from this?
Psalm 6
A plea for God to help in time of sickness and distress.
1–3 Cry for mercy
4–5 Prayer for deliverance
6–7 Anguish of suffering
8–10 Statement of faith
- What is the psalmist experiencing? How did he respond?
- The psalmist begins with crying and pleading; how does he end?
Psalm 5
The believer’s cry for help to a God who destroys the wicked but supports the righteous
1–3 Plea to be heard
4–8 The wicked and the righteous
9–10 Judgment of the wicked
11–12 Deliverance of the righteous
- What can you learn about sinners and God’s attitude and actions toward them?
- What is the stated reason for verse 11?
Psalm 4
God’s people trust in Him rather than what is worthless, deceitful, and transient (changing).
1 Cry to be heard
2–5 Sinners urged to trust the Lord
6–8 David’s confidence
- In verses 4–5, what characterizes the godly man whom the Lord has set apart for himself (v. 3)?
Psalm 3
Believers do not fear their enemies because the Lord protects and delivers them.
1–2 David’s need
3–4 David’s trust
5–6 David’s security
7–8 David’s prayer
- What does a shield do? What is David saying about God in verses 3–6?
- Compare verses 1–2 with verses 7–8. What is the point being made?
Psalm 2
The proper response to God’s chosen ruler of Israel.
1–3 Rebellious nations
4–6 God’s sovereign rule
7–9 God establishes His king
10–12 The nations must honor the king
- In Bible times the relationship between a great king and kings subject to him was often spoken of in terms of “servant” and “son” (v. 7).
- How does Psalm 1 begin and Psalm 2 end? How do these two Psalms orient you as you begin reading the Psalms?
