Psalm 117
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!”

It is not always the longest, or even the most creative works, that become the most well known. I am not a poet, and cannot speak to the artistic side of things, but I doubt whether any poem is as well known as “Roses are red and violets are blue…” Sometimes, the simplicity of things is exactly what is most needed. In a songbook filled with some of the most elaborate and beautiful expressions of praise, we find a simple song, consisting of only two short verses. It is the brevity of this song that magnifies its content. We find the Psalmist emphasizing two things that make God worthy of the praise of all the nations. He states, God is kind, and His word is true.

Perhaps, rather than going into great detail to explain these things, it might do us good to simply put  the teaching of this psalm into practice. Take some time to express thanks to God for His merciful kindness. If you need to confess things you are doing wrong, then go for it, and allow Him to wash away all your sin. Then decide that you are going to forever view His Word as the truth, and live by its statutes.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 117

1. Isn’t it interesting that this 2 verse psalm says “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles”?
2. God’s heart is that all come to know Him. Read 1 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Old Testament:
Psalm 118- Killer Bees 
1 Chronicles 22- The Word Of God Is Greater
1 Chronicles 23- Everyday

Psalms 116:1
I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.

This psalm opens with a declaration of love for the Lord because He hears us when we cry. As the psalm unfolds we learn that the writer was facing a very difficult season where the pains of death were surrounding him. These may have been physical pains from illness or injury or emotional pains caused by the loss of a loved one. Whatever the case his trial turned to triumph when he called upon the Lord.

Whenever we read our Bibles it is important to look for practical ways to apply the teaching to our daily living. In this case two points of application may prove helpful.

First, whatever challenges you are facing take some time to cry out to the Lord asking Him to intervene. The apostle Peter reminds us that we can cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us. And it was Jesus who invited us to come to Him when we are weary and haven laden.

Second, just as the psalmist expresses his love we should do the same. Take some time to make a a list of reasons why you love the Lord and share them with a friend asking them to do the same.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 116

1. How often do we forget to tell our spouse, kids or family that we love them? Do we forget the reasons for our love? The first words of this psalm; I love the Lord, because….Why do you love the Lord?
2. In verse 5 we read again the words that the Lord is gracious and merciful. How can you be more gracious and merciful today?
3. Verse 6-“I was brought low, and He saved me.” Too often we have to be humbled to recognize our need for a savior. Think of the times the Lord has had to humble you, and think of the times you submitted to Gods plan. Dwell on verse 7.

Psalm 115:8
“Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.”

I remember being in a cultural anthropology class in college, when the professor said, “the Bible says man was created in the image of God, but I believe God was created in the image of man.” While I totally disagree with his rejection of Biblical truth, I do agree, that man has been creating gods in his image since the beginning of time. We like to pretend we are a more evolved and sophisticated race than our ancestors, but the reality is, mankind has not changed. We are still creating gods in our image. Whenever we pick and choose verses we like, and reject the ones that make us uncomfortable, we are creating God in our own image. The Psalmist speaks of the folly of that, when he declares;

Psalm 115:8 “Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.”

When we reduce the God of the Bible to the creation of our own mind, we create an impotent god who is unable to save from sin, or help in our times of weakness. Again, the Psalmist declares about their gods,

“They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.” Psalm 115:5-7

Not only are man-made gods unable to aid in times of trouble, but those who fashion them become like them. One of the great values of following closely after Jesus, is that we in turn, become like Him. Instead of being reduced from the purpose for which we were created, as we follow Jesus, we are transformed. Walking daily with Him, will result in our lives being transformed into His image, and we will be able to live up to the potential for which we were created.

Instead of rejecting God because there are things about Him you do not understand, or have a hard time believing, why not submit to Him, and allow Him to reveal Himself to you? If He is not real, what have you really lost? But if He is, you will find that your life is transformed and you will begin to experience what Jesus called “living waters,” welling up in you like a fountain of life.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 115

1. In verse 1, notice because of God’s mercy and truth that His Name gets the Glory not the nation. Sometimes we ask God to glorify His Name with something we want to accomplish. When He answers your prayer and you get the attention, do you give God the credit?
2. Verses 4-8 deals with idol worship. They created images shaped by their own hands. Today we still create idols in our life. An idol is something we love more than God, i.e.: tangible possessions, money, a person, etc. Have you found yourself there? Read verse 8, repent and trust in the one true God.
3. From verse 9 until the end, we read the most fantastic truths. Notice the repeated phrases. Are you encouraged when you read that God is mindful of us and that He understands and thinks about us?

Old Testament:
1 Chronicles 20- Let’s Battle
1 Chronicles 21- Full Price

Psalm 113:6
“Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”

A few years ago my wife and I were window shopping at an outdoor mall in southern California when we stumbled onto a crowd of people huddled around a large telescope. We decided to stand in line and see what they were looking at. When our turn came to look through the view finder we were stunned. From the courtyard of the mall we were able to see the rings around Saturn. We took advantage of the moment and allowed the young man who owned the telescope to point out distant stars and even a distant galaxy. Technology has provided us with things that were unthinkable during most of human history, and there in the mall we were able to observe the heavens. I was struck both by the majesty of the heavens and by the advances of science that would allow the casual shopper a glimpse into the heavens. But I did realize that this was only possible because of the highest reaches of human development. Centuries of studying the stars had come together at that moment to provide a telescope that could view the heavens.

I often think of that when I read the Psalmists words;
“Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”

What takes the height of human development to glance at, God has to bow to look into. As majestic as creation may ever seem the creator is much more magnificent. His glory is above the heavens.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 113

1. Verses 1-4, the Psalmist is in continual praise. He says, “From this time forth and forevermore.” Be encouraged- Pray these verses with your whole heart, AMEN!
2. In verses 5-9, God could care less about your position in the social ladder. He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. How do you treat the outcasts of society? Do you treat them as though they have value?
3. Notice where the Lord seats the poor and needy. What does He grant the barren woman? PRAISE THE LORD!

Old Testament:
Psalm 114- Rock Into Water
1 Chronicles 18- Team Work
1 Chronicles 19- When Things Go Wrong

Psalm 111:1
“Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.”

God created us as social beings; we need the companionship of one another. Knowing that being together is a necessary part of healthy development and spiritual growth, God established seven feasts that took place during three different seasons of the Jewish calendar year. During these feasts the children of Israel were to journey together to the city of Jerusalem. The journey itself became a time of celebration. The closer they came to the city, the more they would celebrate. As they hiked up the hills where Jerusalem sat, they would sing a series of psalms, now known as the Psalms of Ascent. Upon arriving, the feasts consisted of corporate gatherings, sacrifices, teachings, worship and eating. Like the festive times in our calendar year, I am sure these were the highlight of the year for the people.

In the New Testament, God established another means by which to satisfy the social needs of His people. He created the church. Now the primary purpose of the church is to be a place where God is glorified, and the Word of God is taught, but in order to do those things, we must gather together in corporate worship. When that becomes a regular part of your weekly schedule, you will find you are not only growing closer to Christ, investing in eternal things, but you are also much healthier, socially. God knows our needs and designed corporate worship for our benefit.  When it is neglected, our growth is stunted, but when we regularly participate in it, we begin to grow in ways that we never thought possible.

Let’s follow the example of the Psalmist, determining that we will praise the Lord in the assembly of the righteous. Here are a few tips that will enhance our worship experience. First, determine now that you will not be a random attendee in your local church. Plan now to attend Sunday morning and a mid week service. Plan for things that regularly interfere, perhaps even making dinner in advance. Get the kids involved with the ministry at their age level. My kids love church because of the relationships they established with others.

Corporate worship is key to spiritual growth. Get plugged in today

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 111

1. Psalms 111-118 are thought of as the praise or hallelujah psalms. Are you in a season of life where you’re finding it hard to praise the Lord? Be encouraged- dig in right here.
2. In verse 1, how much of our heart is supposed to be used to praise the Lord as we meet with His godly people?
3. One of the important categories of Inductive Bible Study is “looking for repeated words.” In verses 2-7, what word gives us the main point of this Psalm?
4. What is the beginning of wisdom?

Old Testament:
1 Chronicles 16- Let’s Talk
1 Chronicles 17- Not Now

Psalms 112:1
Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.

The psalmist declares that the blessed life, or what we might call our best life, will stem from delighting in the commandments of God. The word delight means to be pleased with or even to celebrate or rejoice in. It might be illustrated with a child’s face as they see a stack of birthday gifts or an adult when they take the first bite of a favorite dessert. The word commandments is a broad word referring to the word of God but may specifically refer to the things He commands us to do or to avoid.

I find it interesting that the psalmist uses the word delight to describe his feelings about God’s commands since it is much more common to delight in His promises. When we are in a challenging season of life we often cling to the promises of God for hope and comfort. As I reflect over my life, even in recent days, I find myself clinging to promises of the love, power and faithfulness of God. In fact I would say that little that I have accomplished in life was done without clinging to His precious promises. My mornings usually begin seeking more from the grace of God and my days end resting in His abundant mercy. That said, the psalmist declares his delight, celebration or rejoicing was in the commands of God.

These commands are so important because they serve to keep us in line with the ways of God, out of sin and away from unnecessary suffering. Recently I had a conversation with a close friend who reflected back on a time in his life when he had drifted from the Lord. In his backslidden state he was considering making a major life decision that would have reeked havoc upon his family. In the midst of his struggles and although he was not currently walking in step with the Lord, the commands of God rung loudly in his memory. He found that if he was to make the decision he was considering he would have to do so by stepping over the warnings of the word and ignoring the voice of God. Fortunately, he not only obeyed the command but it became his first step toward restoring his relationship with the Lord and other relationships that had been broken as a result.

The commands of God are like that. They stand as road signs or speed bumps in our path to direct us away from danger and destruction and back in line with the ways and purposes of God. Often when I face conflict in a relationship I will have long debates with the individual with whom there is problem. Usually however these conversations take place in my mind with an imaginary opponent. I will build a case against them, convict them of wrong doing and even execute my swift judgment. When I finally settle down is when the Lord tends to confront me with His commands. A scripture will come to mind that will not allow me to think the way I am thinking or act the way I was planning. His word confronts my behavior and forces me to change. I wonder how much personal and relational suffering has been avoided by letting the commands of God redirect my life.

For that I agree with the psalmist and delight in the commands of God

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 112

1. In verse 1, “Blessed” means, “Oh, how happy.” Do you expect God’s blessings? Then we must revere Him and obey Him.
2. Notice in verse 4 when we are overtaken by darkness. How is the Lord described?
3. What is the Psalmist teaching us in verses 7-8?
4. In verse 10, what will infuriate the wicked when they see it?

Psalm 109:2
“My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.”

When I read the songs of David, I am fascinated with the level in which He knew the Lord. He expresses praise in a way that reveals the depths in which he understood the majesty of God. He speaks of mercy, grace and loving-kindness, not as one who studied it in a classroom, but as one who experienced it daily. This psalm reveals the level in which David understood the justice of God. If this Psalm seems harsh, it may be partly due to the limited understanding we have of God’s justice. We live in a world that finds it difficult to reconcile love, mercy and justice. We see it as unloving to punish an offender, yet we know it to be unjust to allow them to go free. It is common to project our limited understanding of righteousness on the Lord, only to then accuse Him of wrongdoing when He judges the ungodly. We must never forget, God is a holy and just God. When sin is committed it must be judged, God will bring justice upon those who have rebelled against Him, and mistreated His children. Ultimately, this judgment will be punitive and those who have rejected Christ will be separated from God.

CS Lewis put it like this, “God in the end really gives people what they want, including freedom from Himself. What could be more fair?”

But until then, the judgment of God is meant to draw people to Himself. God does not want the rebellious to continue in their sin, ignorant of how He feels about it. Instead, He desires all men everywhere to be saved.

Before we are too hard on David for the intensity of his prayer regarding the wicked, I think we have to visit where he had been. I am not talking about going through the kind of hardship that make us callous to others, but rather I am referring to the statement David makes in verse 24,

“My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.”

To be honest, I am humbled by these words. David describes the physical weakness he experienced as a result of the intensity in which he was seeking the Lord. His prayer for the wicked to be judged was not birthed out of their mistreatment of him, but rather out of his time spent seeking the Lord on their behalf. The best thing for those who are living in rebellion against God is to taste a little of His severity, if it will bring them to a place of repentance that they might avoid eternal judgment.

As you seek to understand this Psalm, take a few moments to pray for your loved ones who are still living apart from Christ. Pray that they would surrender all without having to go through any more of the severity of God.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 109

1. David begins this psalm asking God to not be silent, to do something.  Read verses 1-5. What has happened that he is asking to “speak up” about?
2. Read verses 6-20.  David goes nuclear on his enemies.  Consider in particular, verses 16 and 17, and why his enemies deserved judgment.
3. Read Matthew 5:38-48.  Also look at Luke 23:33-35.  Is David’s heart representative here of New Testament teaching?  Although God will ultimately judge the unrepentant, His highest desire is to extend mercy and grace.
4. Although David’s heart is crying for justice for his enemies, he never takes that justice into his own hands.  Rather what is he doing in this psalm?
5. David was himself a sinner.  Yet he does not cry out for justice for himself.  Read verse 21-31.  What does David seek from the Lord for himself?  Pray that God helps you to love your enemies as you love yourself.

Old Testament:
Psalm 110- Footstool
1 Chronicles 14- Lesson Learned
1 Chronicles 15- The Proper Order

Psalm 107:1
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

The evolution of love is seen in the relationship between children and parents. An infant child cannot survive on his own and is completely dependent upon the mercy, grace and love of the parents. In a proper relationship the parents give time, energy, even sleep for the benefit of the child. As the relationship develops so does the love, it is not long before the parents begin to see the return in their investment. I can remember being so excited when my children began to smile and laugh, or when they would crawl across the room only to get up on my lap and snuggle. What a joy! Just this week I received messages from each of my boys expressing Father’s Day wishes in their own humorous ways. Our relationship has become one of an exchange of love. This Psalm is an illustration of that kind of love relationship with God. The Psalmist cries out with thankful praise as a response to what God has done for them. Paul used an interesting word for thanks when writing to Timothy, he said “Thanks be to God…” and the word he used was “karis” which is the word used to speak of God’s giving nature. Because of the grace we have received from the Lord, we give grace back to Him.

The Psalmist describes here that exchange of grace and thanksgiving.

He recalls the history of God’s people and reminds them of all that God has done for them. The list includes being redeemed, provided for, delivered, protected, forgiven, and comforted in the storms of life. Sprinkled throughout the Psalm is a continued exhortation;

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

Perhaps it would be of great value to our love relationship with the Lord if we took time to recall to mind all that God has done for us and respond in thankful praise.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 107

1. This psalm is a meditation on how good it would be for people to give God the praise and thanksgiving that He truly deserves.  Consider verses 1-2, 8, 15, 21, and 31-32.  After each of these statements, the psalmist makes the case for why men should give love and worship to God.  Do you take time to consider the many ways that He is good?  Does genuine unforced praise come from your heart to God?
2. Look at verses 2-5.  What was the state of these people?  What did they do (verse 6)?  What did God do?
3. Look at verses 9-12.  What is the condition of the people described here?  Is this condition their fault?  What do they do (verse 13)?  What does God do?
4. Look at verses 16-18.  What distress is this group of people facing?  What do they do (verse 19)?  How does God respond?
5. Look at verses 23-27.  What are these people facing?  What do they do (verse 28)?  What does God do?  Check out Mark 4:36-41.  Although we may not be in a physical storm, our lives can be stormy in other ways.
6. Do you follow the pattern of this psalm?  When you are in trouble do you from your heart turn to the Lord?

Old Testament:
Psalm 108- Count On The Promises Of God
1 Chronicles 12- Heroes In Training
1 Chronicles 13– God’s Way

Psalms 105:19
“…The word of the Lord tested him.”

This psalm recounts the faithfulness of God during the days of the patriarchs. After mentioning Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Psalmist reminds us of the struggles Joseph faced after being sold into slavery by his own brothers. We know he experienced betrayal, beating, false accusations and imprisonment. Each trial he faced was a means by which the Word of God put him to the test.

We face similar experiences that put us to the test. When we face heartache, confusion, difficulty or disappointment, we are essentially being put to the test by the promises of God. We are left to decide if we will trust in the scattered array of emotions we face, or in the ever changing experiences of life, or in the unchanging promises of God. Down through the ages, saints have faced extremely difficult experiences. Some have allowed these to undo their faith and even sideline them from their Master’s service. Others have chosen to cling to the promises of God, allowing them to provide comfort and direction, as they continue following Christ. There is little question that we will face trials in life. It is important that we realize,  the promises of God can stand the test of trials. God will be faithful to His word, and His promises will carry you through till the end.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 105

1. If you have a study Bible you will see that the first fifteen verses are also found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-22. What event was happening when this was being sung?
2. When God feels distant and far away from you, what does verses 4-5 command us to do? Now continue your search and go to the book of Hebrews chapter 11:6 and be encouraged, for you are rewarded.
3. In verses 16-22 the Psalmist recounts the story of Joseph. If you are going through something you don’t understand know that God is in control. Read Isaiah 54:17
4. In verses 26-45 God shows His purpose for saving the Israelites. He allowed them to witness these events so they would, “Observe His statutes and keep His laws.” All too often we please ourselves. We were made for His good pleasure. Are you honoring and pleasing the Lord? He gave us His Word for a reason- HIS PURPOSE!

Old Testament:
Psalm 106- Leanness Of Soul
1 Chronicles 10- Epitaphs
1 Chronicles 11- Coming Soon!

Psalm 103:11-13
“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.”

It is a common advertising strategy to attempt to sell an item by comparing it to something else. We might see a car commercial with a cheetah running, to convince us of the speed of the vehicle; or a flowing river, to reveal the thirst quenching power of a soft drink. David is, in a sense, attempting to sell us on the greatness of God. He knows the Lord and wants everyone to taste and see for themselves that the Lord is good. To do this he makes a series of comparisons, to convince us to trust in God.

First, he compares the mercy of God to the heavens. He says, if we could measure the universe, we could also measure God’s compassion. Astronomers speak of the size of the universe in terms of light years, which is the distance light travels in the course of 365.25 days. They estimate the universe to be over 14 billion light years across. The mercy of God is so vast it could never be exhausted. If you are willing to come to Him, He is willing to forgive you.

Second, he compares the removal of our sin to the distance between East and West. Since we live on a ball with a most northern and southern point, it is possible to travel north until you run out of north. Once you arrive at the North Pole, you must either stay there or go south. The opposite is true of east and west. If you decide to travel east, you can go east indefinitely, without ever having to go west. David is describing the complete removal of sin for those who receive the mercy, and thus the forgiveness, of God. Sin will never be brought up again, for all who trust in the cross of Christ.

Finally, David compares God to a father who has compassion on a child. This is a somewhat limited illustration, because we have already seen the vastness of His mercy, but David wants us to understand that God’s mercy is like that of a loving father. I recall when my youngest son was two and he broke his leg. I remember wishing I could take his pain and wear his cast. It was not a fleeting feeling, but a deep compassion. I truly pitied his condition and wanted to help. It is wonderful to know that God feels that way about us, and does not lack the ability to come to our aid.

Won’t you buy into David’s God? Take the step to trust Him with all your heart and life.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 103

1. Verses 1-5 have the ingredients of a thankful heart yet we are so prone to forget what the Lord has done in our lives. Make a list of the benefits of walking with Him.
2. Read verse 10 and imagine if the Lord dealt with us according to our sins. Then read verse 8 and REJOICE, AMEN!
3. How far has He removed our transgressions?
4. For those who fear Him….His mercy is….?
5. In verses 20-22 David has everybody and everything praising God; from angels to all of creation. Ask yourself these questions: Do I fear the Lord? Am I obeying His commands and doing His will? Does my life praise the Lord?

Old Testament:
Psalm 104- Majesty Of God
1 Chronicles 4:9-10- A Fresh Start