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Psalms 42–72 are in the second scroll of the Psalms. The human authors of book two include the sons of Korah, Asaph, David, and Solomon. Psalms 42 and 43 are individual lament psalms. Psalm 44 is a community (national) lament psalm. It is describing Israel’s defeat in battle.
Our Bible study rule for this week is:
Rule # 4: Interpret each passage according to the divine and human author’s purpose and plan. The “purpose” is the object, goal, and/or reason for the writing of this book, chapter, section, and verse. The plan is the author’s literary method or structure for communicating his purpose. The purpose of the gospel of John is “to produce faith that you might believe Jesus is God and receive everlasting life through Jesus.” The plan of the book of Acts is 1) Jerusalem & Judea; 2) Samaria; 3) Gentile world.
I. Rehearsing God’s past acts of deliverance (vs. 1–3)
A. God’s people participated in redemptive history
B. God’s people shared with their children the mighty acts of God
C. God’s power caused Israel to be established in the land of Canaan
D. Israel had been granted God’s election, love and favor (grace)
E. “Flourishing” is part of the covenantal blessing to be fruitful and multiply
II. Rekindling confidence in God based on the past (vs. 4–8)
A. God is the great king who is close to His people
B. God, as king, decree’s the sons of Jacob’s salvations, deliverances, victories
C. Trusting in God, the cause and source, not the means, tools, weapons
D. Boasting only in God, praising His name alone and continually
E. Instead of national pride, humble reliance on the God of Israel
III. Facing the present suffering, disgrace, and shame (vs. 9–16)
A. God has withdrawn His presence and protection from the army of Israel
B. Without God, Israel cannot win
C. They lost the battle and had to retreat
D. They were beaten and plundered
E. The POWs were sold as slaves
F. God’s people are suffering like Job
G. Now they are disgraced and humiliated
H. Shame has set in and is doing its damage
I. How can the God of our fathers abandon us?
IV. The claim of innocence (vs. 17–22)
A. This is completely true of the faithful remnant only, but under David’s united kingdom
idolatry and evil were not as widespread as it would be from Solomon onward
B. Because God’s people belong to Him, suffering and mistreatment will come by those who
hate God
C. This dark providence is not a result of a chastisement based on violating the covenant
D. The inner man, hearts of the people, were remaining faithful to Yahweh
E. The actions (feet) of the people were in conformity to His law
F. Desolation and darkness instead of construction and light (jackals = desert wolves)
G. The heart is the seat of sin and of worship, God see’s all - outward conformity is never
enough, love motivated obedience starts in the inner man of the person of faith
H. How does someone who hates the invisible God attempt to harm Him?
By attacking his people. They are suffering “vicariously” as substitutes like sheep, Isa 53:7
I. They are suffering for God's sake (Rom 8:36)
J. When a nation brings on God’s wrath, the remnant suffers with the wicked in some
general ways
K. Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as
serpents and innocent as doves.”
V. A prayer for deliverance/salvation (vs. 23–26)
A. Notice there is no answer to the question why God would allow His people to suffer even
when they are being faithful to Him (health, wealth, prosperity?)
B. In faith the community looks to God for deliverance
C. They need God’s immediate attention and salvation now (figurative language)
D. God, don’t ignore our misery and oppression
E. In humble dependence they bow down to the ground in worship (2 Cor 12:7)
F. Divine Warrior come to our aid
G. They need redemption in body and soul, only God can do it
H. In faith, they rest in the promise of God, His hesed covenant love
(Exod 34:6–7; Mic 7:18, 20; Rom 8:36–39)
Lessons to Live by:
● We need to read of God’s past mighty acts in the Bible and believe His true truth
● Our confidence in the present is affirmed by the word of God and our memories of God’s past deliverances
● When a nation is under God’s discipline or wrath they need to call out in prayer and repentance
● Suffering and shame are part of a fallen world. But Jesus suffered for us and bore our shame, so we can press on with God confidence and faith
● The internal is more important than the external, but they both must go together
● Only God can redeem us, not based on what we deserve, but by His hesed
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