The Church of Divine Guidance Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study Group studying the book Psalms: A Guide to Prayer and Praise by Ron Klug. The Psalms are some of the most widely read and best-loved portions of the Bible. For thousands of years these songs of faith have spoken to the hearts and minds of people around the world. The Psalms are songs–music our spirits sing to the Creator. They are poems–full of vibrant imagery and strong rhythms. And they are prayers–our deepest emotions expressed to the Lord who feels with us. Most importantly, the Psalms are God’s Word to us, revealing the truth about him and our relationship with him. Study along with us by getting a copy of the book by clicking this LINK or the image of the book at the end of the study notes.
Last week our Psalm was Psalm 51 which David
wrote after Nathan confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba and the
murder of her husband. After David
realized that he was the man Nathan was talking about he was crushed because he
understood that although what he did was with and to other people that his sin
was really against God. When he realized
that he was completely broken which is the beginning of our asking
forgiveness of God. Psalm 51 is a penitential Psalm meaning it
is a cry of remorse, seeking forgiveness.
I read something by Billy Graham this week
titled Broken Pieces and the scripture he uses was Psalm 51:17.
Psalm
51:17 NIV My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Broken Pieces
I have preached the Gospel for more than
seventy years and have always spoken clearly that salvation comes through
Christ alone. I cannot save anyone, but I’ve tried to tell everyone who would
listen that Jesus died once for the sins of mankind and that salvation is a
one-time transaction between an individual and the Lord Jesus Christ. . . .
Many say if they would be given a miraculous sign from God, they would believe. But the most miraculous of God’s work is transforming the sinner’s heart into a blood-bought soul that will love Him wholly. God knows the heart of every person and longs to apply His redeeming blood to that person’s soul, washing away the darkness of sin and the fear of eternal judgment. But he or she must come to Jesus Christ in brokenness, exchanging sin for salvation.
We talk about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, but we seldom talk about the sacrifice He expects from us. While salvation is purely the work of Jesus on the cross, our acceptance of it is dependent upon our sincerity. The Bible says,
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
(Psalm 51:17)
I have extended Christ’s invitation to people around the world saying, “Come just as you are.” But when you come, you must leave your defiance and rebellion behind and come in submission, for in that moment of repentance the Savior of your soul will become the Master of your life.
Many say if they would be given a miraculous sign from God, they would believe. But the most miraculous of God’s work is transforming the sinner’s heart into a blood-bought soul that will love Him wholly. God knows the heart of every person and longs to apply His redeeming blood to that person’s soul, washing away the darkness of sin and the fear of eternal judgment. But he or she must come to Jesus Christ in brokenness, exchanging sin for salvation.
We talk about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, but we seldom talk about the sacrifice He expects from us. While salvation is purely the work of Jesus on the cross, our acceptance of it is dependent upon our sincerity. The Bible says,
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
(Psalm 51:17)
I have extended Christ’s invitation to people around the world saying, “Come just as you are.” But when you come, you must leave your defiance and rebellion behind and come in submission, for in that moment of repentance the Savior of your soul will become the Master of your life.
Psalm 103 Great is His Love
Count your many blessings, name them one by
one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” These lines from the
gospel hymn may be timeworn, but the truth they convey is timeless. No matter
what our situation is, we can always find something to be thankful for.
One of Pastor’s favorite statements, and I
think it’s becoming one of Mikey’s too is the scripture in
1
Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV Rejoice always, pray
continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.
They say that no matter what’s happening you
can thank God that things aren’t worse because the could be. I’m paraphrasing but you get the picture.
This is a Psalm of David in which he gives God thanks and praise for all His benefits.
This is a Psalm of David in which he gives God thanks and praise for all His benefits.
1. At this point in your life, what spiritual benefits or blessings are you most grateful for?
Salvation, peace, joy, Christian friends and
family.
READ PSALM 103
Psalm
103:1-22 (NLT)1 Let
all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy
name.2 Let all that I am
praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my
diseases.4 He redeems me from
death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is
renewed like the eagle’s!6 The LORD gives righteousness and justice to
all who are treated unfairly.7 He revealed his character to Moses and his
deeds to the people of Israel.8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow
to get angry and filled with unfailing love.9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain
angry forever.10 He does not
punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.11
For his unfailing love toward
those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.12
He has removed our sins as far
from us as the east is from the west.13 The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we
are only dust.15 Our days on
earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we
had never been here.17 But
the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation
extends to the children’s children18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of
those who obey his commandments!19 The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from
there he rules over everything.20 Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones
who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.21 Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who
serve him and do his will!22 Praise the LORD, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD.
2. What
two things did the writer urge himself to do at the beginning?
Praise God
Why?
So that he would never forget God’s benefits
3. Note
the five verbs the psalmist used to enumerate the benefits God had given him.
- Forgiveness
- Healing
- Redemption
- Crowned
him with lovingkindness
- Satisfaction
What were the results of these blessings?
Renewal because he is talking about being
treated unfairly.
4. The
psalm writer (David) seemed to be speaking in these opening verses from
personal experience. From your knowledge of David’s life, what personal reasons
did he have for thanking God?
●
Lion and bear 1 Samuel 17:37 (NKJV)37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who
delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will
deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David,
"Go, and the LORD be with you!"
●
Goliath
●
Saul (Starts in 1 Samuel Chapter 18 and continues until Saul commits suicide
in Chapter 31)
●
Absalom 2 Samuel 15
●
Adultery ( We talked about that last week when we studied Psalm 51)
●
Census (2 Samuel 24)
●
In Ziklag (1 Samuel 30)
5. After thanking God for personal blessings,
what did the psalmist remember (verses 6–7)?
Psalm
103:6-7 (NLT)6 The LORD gives righteousness and justice to
all who are treated unfairly.7 He revealed his character to Moses and his
deeds to the people of Israel.
He remembered that God cared for the Jews in
the wilderness after He orchestrated their release from slavery in Egypt.
How
does the history of Israel show that God works righteousness and justice for
the oppressed?
He freed and cared for them miraculously in
the wilderness.
He does the same today for the oppressed
through the church.
6. What do you learn about the nature of God
from verses 8–14?
Psalm
103:8-14 (NLT)8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow
to get angry and filled with unfailing love.9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain
angry forever.10 He does not
punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.11
For his unfailing love toward
those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the
east is from the west.13 The
LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who
fear him.14 For he knows how
weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
He is love evidenced by:
●
Mercy (8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow
to get angry and filled with unfailing love)
●
Compassion (10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does
not deal harshly with us, as we deserve)
●
Forgiveness (12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the
east is from the west.)
●
Like a father for his children (13
The LORD is like a father to his
children, tender and compassionate)
7.
Which of the three comparisons used to demonstrate God’s love and mercy is the
most meaningful to you right now (verses 11–14)? Explain.
Psalm
103:11-14 (NLT)11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear
him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the
east is from the west.13 The
LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who
fear him.14 For he knows how
weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
- Great
as the height of heaven above the earth
- Removal
of sin is as far as east from the west
- Father
for children
Most meaningful is his love is like that of a
parent for their child which is unconditional.
It doesn’t matter what the child does they still love him/her.
8. How
did the writer contrast God and man (verses 15–18)?
Psalm
103:15-18 (NLT)15 Our days on earth are like grass; like
wildflowers, we bloom and die.16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we
had never been here.17 But
the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation
extends to the children’s children 18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of
those who obey his commandments!
●
Man is mortal, God is immortal
●
Man’s love is often conditional,
God’s love is unconditional
9.
According to this psalm, who experiences the love of God?
Those who fear Him and obey His commandments
and their children.
How can you keep God’s covenant in your life?
How can you keep God’s covenant in your life?
By being obedient
10.
After recalling his personal blessings and the wider blessings to Israel, how
did the psalmist further enlarge on his theme (verses 19–22)? Whom did the psalmist invite to share in his
thanksgiving and praise?
Psalm
103:19-22 (NLT)19 The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from
there he rules over everything.20 Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones
who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.21 Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who
serve him and do his will!22 Praise the LORD, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD.
His theme in the Psalm is the greatness of
God’s love. He called on all of creation
to praise God including the angels.
11. Do
you really believe that God “rules over all”?
If so, how will that show in your life?
By not getting overly excited when things are
not going the way that I would like them to go.
By continuing to wait on God even when it is very difficult and
sometimes frightening. By making myself
pray and praise. They are both acts of
the will so there are times that I have to force myself to do it and the result
is peace.
12. What additional spiritual blessings, beyond those of the psalmist, do we have as believers living after Christ’s redemptive work on the cross?
12. What additional spiritual blessings, beyond those of the psalmist, do we have as believers living after Christ’s redemptive work on the cross?
The Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit,
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