Psalm 49: Riches, Wisdom, and Life on Earth

This psalm is different from the hymn psalms which praise God. This is a wisdom psalm similar to Psalm 1, and the wisdom books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. It is written to encourage the godly who struggle with the power and prestige of those who have become rich by evil methods (Today: drug dealer, organized crime, dishonest businessmen, etc.) [See Ps 73] Why do the wicked sometimes prosper? The central message of this psalm is that living for wealth is futile because wealth is temporary (vs. 12, 20). There are several textual issues in the Psalm which require the Bible student to first try to determine what the original text said before they look at what it meant to the original audience and then apply it to our day.

Our Bible study rule for this week is:

RULE #6: Interpret each passage according to the Bible’s consistent themes and repeated emphasis (The Bible’s complete teaching on each subject). In other words, interpret Scripture by Scripture. Regular reading of the Bible and the use of cross references is the best way to apply this rule. Regular studies of Bible books will also help. You may check commentaries for related passages and cross references as well as a concordance. If you think the passage that you are studying contradicts other clear passages, look at it again. You have misunderstood the meaning of that text. (An example is the doctrine of “prayer.” Look at each passage on prayer to develop a theology of prayer.)

   I. The introduction to the Psalmist’s format for dealing with a problem vs. 1–4

      A. The audience addressed is all humanity

      B. The command, “Listen up, folks!”

      C. The low and high, “all mankind, every living man” (those born rich, those born poor)  

      D. The author wants to offer wisdom, understanding, a proverb, a riddle of life

           Wisdom is the skillful use of knowledge; a proverb is a short saying that is generally true 

           most of the time (80% or better) 

      E. The riddle is played on a kinnor [harp] (See www.harpsofdavid.com)          

 II. The question of the Psalmist: “Why do we fear the rich and powerful?” vs. 5–6

      A. Why do we fear old age, the unknown future, and the mistreatment of the powerful?

      B. Persecution of the righteous is real, normal, and to be expected

      C. The rich here are those who take advantage of the poor, aged, and the lonely

      D. Increasing your savings does not guarantee you will be healthy, secure, and problem free 

      E. Those who trust in wealth rather than God are fools (Prov 23:5)

      F. The proud boasters are opposed by God, which is not a good place to be!

      G. Do not fear those with money and power—fear God

III. The great leveler of all men (male and female) is death vs. 7–12

      A. There is a problem in the text here, but both options are true. No one can use money to escape death for a loved one, (brother) and no one can use money to escape death for himself [Either way, Bill Gates cannot pay God enough money to escape death]

      B. No one can hire a substitute to die for them physically so they can live longer

      C. The word translated as “soul” also means “life,” “breath,” “throat” (here = life)

      D. Most human bodies will die, be buried, and decay

      E. The smart and the dumb, the rich and poor (and all in between) will die 

      F. The rich person’s tomb will be their body’s ‘house’ for a long time

      G. The best text for vs. 11 is preserved in the majority of manuscripts (Syriac, LXX [Greek                  Septuagint], Aramaic Targums) [“Their tombs will remain their houses”]

      H. Getting something named after you is still temporary (land of Uz)

       I. Only the gravestones keep the names a long time (but also temporary)

  ** J. The key thing to remember is that the human body, no matter how rich, is going to die

       K. The curse of the fall effects both man and animals [sin brings death, Romans 5] 

       L. This is not the final word on the resurrection, but an early statement about the truth about           the bodies of every human person (progressive revelation will tell us more)

       M. Since the fall, the 2nd law of thermodynamics (order to disorder)

IV. The foolishness of relying on wealth, status, connections, and power vs. 13–14

      A. The self-sufficient and self-confident are foolish because life is temporary (Luke 12:20)

      B. Those who support the powerful will not get off from death either (lose their position)

      C. Like animals all men will physically die (like sheep to the butcher block)

      D. “Death” is personified, as something eating people like a sheep would eat grass

      E. In the resurrection, the righteous will have an everlasting rulership over the wicked                            (Dan 12:2; Ps 17:15, Matt 25:19–23; Luke 19:17–19)

      F. Once the power brokers die, they rot like everything else (prestige is temporary)

 V. The answer to the question: One’s earthly status is temporary vs. 15–20                         (Therefore, we should not fear the rich and powerful, instead we should fear God)

      A. “But God” will redeem His people (chosen ones)

      B. The wicked will go to the grave and everlasting punishment (Sheol, Pit)

      C. God Himself will ransom the righteous, protect them in death, and preserve them forever

      D. After death the righteous still exist, “God will take me to Himself, receive me”                                (Enoch, Gen 5:24; Ps 27:4, 30:1, 3, 71:20, 73:24)

      E. The answer to the question in vs. 5 is: We should not fear the rich and powerful (vs. 16)                because “temporary, temporary, everything is temporary” (Eccl 1:2)

      F. The wicked rich take nothing with them when they die, they remain in darkness    

      G. The righteous enjoy the light of everlasting life where Jesus is the light

Lessons to Live by:

• We can trust God with our future

• We should not fear men or the future, but rest in the One who controls both

• All men will physically die, life on earth is temporary, don’t hold it too tightly

• Pride is the deadly killer of faith and brings God’s opposition

• Riches, position, fame, make no difference in the grave

• Live for eternity, not for the temporary, serve Christ, not yourself

• Faith mighty faith, the triumph of faith over fear and sight

• It is foolish to live for, love, and serve money

Psalm 63: Devotion and Trust (Faith on Fire)

This psalm is either an individual lament or a song of trust (confidence) or both. David wrote this psalm during a dangerous time in his life, while he was in the Judean wilderness running from Absalom. He is away from Jerusalem, both his throne and the worship center. This song of faith is a window on David’s soul, a man after God’s own heart.

  I. The believer’s desire for God (vs. 1–4)                

     A. David longs for the special presence of God in corporate worship

     B. The God of the Bible is David’s God

     C. The believer earnestly seeks for God based on an established relationship

          1. When the Holy Spirit starts to draw someone to Christ, they become an awakened sinner

          2. God and committed believers are the only “seekers” in the Bible

          3. Those who are entertainment, music, food, or fellowship seekers are idolater’s

          4. The business model has the “seeker” as the “consumer” or “customer” to be pleased

          5. The Bible gives this place to God alone

     D. “Soul” here is a figure of speech, using the part for the whole. David was longing for God

          with body and soul, with his entire personhood and all it aspects: mind, will, emotion

     E. The believer longs for fellowship with the LORD just like a man in the dessert longs for 

          water (simile). This is an all-consuming desire. David is far from the tabernacle in the

           wilderness of Judea. He is away from the worshiping assembly, and it bother him

     F. God’s glory and presence is as necessary to David as water is in intense heat

     G. God’s holiness, glory, and power were revealed to David in the holy place

     H. God’s covenant love (hesed) is better than even being alive

          1. God is faithful to his covenant promises

          2. God promised to preserve David and his dynasty through the coming Messiah

          3. God’s love will sustain the believer who is providentially hinder from worship

     I. David’s devotion to God puts most of us to shame

     J. Body and soul joined together is the time when a whole person can worship God

    K. The Jewish way to hold the hands during prayer

         1. Don’t back read American religious movements into the text

         2. Don’t ignore the major world religions influence on current American practices

    L. David’s lips are full of praise to God, his hands and mind are offering prayers to God

    M. The name of the Lord, Yahweh, is David’s basis for hope and trust in God’s rescue

 

 II. The believer’s delight in God (vs. 5–8)

      A. David praise for God is a response of his faith in God, as well as his devotion and loyalty

      B. Because God is sovereign and involved, David is full of joy and thankfulness as if he was

           being served a wonderful banquet

     C. Prayer that acknowledges God’s faithfulness to His promises will drift into praise for who

          God is, His attributes and wonderful grace to sinners (Confidence and faith)

      D. David longs for the special presence of God

           1. He recalls God’s past interventions in his life

           2. He receives comfort for the present by focusing on God’s past actions

     E. The night had three four hour watches and is a fearful time when you are hunted

     F. God is close to His own children and protects them under His wings

         (metaphor for the close fellowship and protection of God)

         God also expects His children to draw close to Him

   G. The believer holds fast to God, clings, cleaves to Him (Deut 10:20)

   H. God is powerful and deliberate (right hand) and faithfully keeps His promise of protection,

        preservation, and salvation

    I. The ones who have repented of their sins and put their trust in the Messiah are the ones that

       have this intimate relationship with God

 

III. The believer’s defense by God (vs. 9–11)

      A. God will protect His people through the persecution

      B. God will judge those who mistreat His people

      C. The divine Warrior will be victorious over His enemies (Isa 10:3)

           1. It is not wise to attack someone who belongs to God

           2. For God to keep His promises He must punish those who fight against His own

               1 Cor 3:16–17

      D. Three metaphors for total destruction

            1. Going down into the earth (being buried in a mass grave after losing a battle)

            2. Given over to the sword (to die and loose the battle)

            3. Food for jackals (packs of dessert wolves will eat the corpses of the slain soldiers)

            4. These are all curses of the covenant (see Leviticus 26)

    E. The believer will rejoice in God when He judges the wicked

2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.  ⁵ This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.  ⁶ For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,  ⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,  ⁸ dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  ⁹ These will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, ¹⁰ when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.

     F. Divine vengeance and justice will remove all sin from the believers presence

         1. This is reason for great rejoicing

         2. The king has been called by God to serve and obey Him

     G. The loyal subjects of Yahweh only swear by His name (Deut 6:3, 10:20)

     H. God’s justice will silence all slander against His name and His people

 

Lessons to live by:

$          We should desire God like a man at noon in the arid desert heat desires water—with all our heart, strength, mind, body, soul

$          We should love assembling for worship, Bible study, prayer, and edificational fellowship

$          Faith on fire, devotion, loyalty, obedience, and trust will sustain us in difficulties as we pray the promises of God and praise Him for His sovereignty and faithfulness

$          God will protect His own and will punish sin on His timing. We should rejoice in His justice rendered to the enemies of the cross

$          A close relationship with the God of the Bible is very, very important

Psalm 57: Trusting and Praising God During Adversity

This psalm is an individual lament written by David. He is in a cave with his men while running from Saul, who is longing to take David’s life. The psalm starts out describing the dangerous anxiety producing situation. Then it moves to trusting (faith, belief) in God and ends with thanksgiving. In our prayers we also should face the difficulties, contemplate our God’s character and acts, and deeply trust him with the situation committed to Him in prayer. This act of transference brings relief and joy that is expressed in our praises offered to God in prayer and song.

RULE #9: When considering sections that were originally Hebrew poetry, look for two lines that are parallel, contrasting, repeating, adding, or expanding the thoughts of each other. Hebrew poetry has meter, (determined by counting the syllables in each line) figurative language, parallelism, and special grammatical features as well as a unique vocabulary. There are certain words and tenses that are very rarely used in poetry (the, which, etc.).

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  I. David’s complaint (lament) stated (vs. 1–5)

     A. A prayer for protection [refuge] (vs. 1)

          1. He needs God’s gracious compassion

          2. The metaphor “wings” (Ps 17:8, 36:7, 61:4, 91:4; Ruth 2:12; Matt 22:37)

          3. The “disaster” or “destruction,” is like a hurricane [search party]

     B. A prayer for vindication in faith (vs. 2–3)

          1. David trusts the all-powerful God will intervene and save him

          2. God will vindicate His obedient followers

          3. God will rebuke those persecuting His people

          4. God will send His covenantal love

          5. God will send His covenantal faithfulness

     C. A prayer of description of the situation [the enemy] (vs. 4)

          1. The enemy is like a hungry lion that can eat a whole man himself

          2. The enemy’s mouth are full of deadly weapons

     D. A refrain of praise for God’s greatness and glory (vs. 5)

          1. Praising God in the dark valley

          2. His chief concern is for the glory of God

 II. David’s gratefulness expressed (vs. 6–11)

     A. The enemy’s plan backfired (vs. 6)

          1. They set traps for David like he was an animal (nets and pits)

          2. David was depressed and carrying a huge burden of concern

          3. The enemy fell into their own pit

     B. The joy produced by answered prayer (vs. 7–8)

          1. Trusting God produces a restful and peaceful inner man

          2. Believing the promises of God transforms worry into worship

     C. Thankfulness for God’s love and faithfulness (vs. 9–10)

          1. Prophetic view of an international people worshiping God

          2. Praise and thanksgiving is offered in prayer and song     

     D. A refrain of praise for God’s greatness and glory (vs. 11)

          1. Nothing is more important that the glory of God

          2. God’s glory will one day cover the earth

Lessons to live by:

• When we need protection and deliverance we should pray

• We pray on the basis of God grace and mercy

• God is so powerful that He can protect us from anything

• Pray in faith, and prayer aids our faith

• God loves His people and is faithful to His promises

• God justice will eventually come upon His enemies

• We can rest in God during difficult days

• We can rejoice we God answers our prayers

Psalm 31: Yahweh: The God of Promise and Deliverance

This well-known Psalm was used by Jonah, Jeremiah, and Jesus. Therefore, we find verse 6 quoted in Jonah 2:8; verse 13 in Jeremiah (6:25, 20:3, 10, 46:5, 49:29) and in Lamentations  2:22; and verse 5 was spoken by Jesus and recorded in Luke 23:46. The author of Ps 71:1–3 seems to also have these words in mind (Ps 31:1–5) while writing that Psalm.

  I. David’s Prayer for Deliverance/Salvation 31:1–5

     A. Yahweh is his refuge

     B. Yahweh can give him righteousness

     C. Yahweh is like a rock (Deut 32:4)

     D. Yahweh is like a stronghold, fortress, a Masada

     E. The covenant God honor is at stake when His people are hurt

     F. Yahweh delivers/saves for His own glory

     G. Yahweh is concerned with justice

     H. Yahweh sees and knows

     I. Yahweh ransoms, rescues sinners

     J. Surrendering to God’s will is always best (1 Pet 4:19)

     K. Yahweh is the God of truth and faithfulness

 II. David’s Prayer of Faith 31:6–8

      A. Those who worship worthless puffs of wind, fog, mist (idols) are rejected.

           A textual variant is here. Some versions say, “You have hated,” others “I have hated”

           (God’ rejection of sinners Ps 5:4–6, 11:5, 34:16, 45:7, Prov 6:16–19, Mal 1:3, Rom 9:13)

           (Sinners hatred of God Ps 68:1, 81:15, 83:2, John 3:19–21, 15:18, 22–25)

      B. Yahweh is faithful and David has trusted him in the past with good results

      C. Yahweh has covenant love (hesed) for His people

      D. Yahweh is aware of all of His peoples’ difficulties and pain  

      E. Yahweh is able to protect His people from their enemies

      F. Is David justified in having such deep confidence in the God of the Bible?

III. David’s Prayer for Mercy 31:9–13

     A. David needs Yahweh’s merciful deliverance

     B. David is in danger and in pain, and cries out with tears

     C. David is exhausted and distressed, in deep despair

     D. David is mistreated and forsaken; consequently his confidence has slipped

     E. David is ignored, forgotten, and useless

     F. David is being slandered, depressed and disgraced

     G. David is being stalked

     H. David is in danger, “terror on every side” (Jer 6:25)

IV. David’s Prayer of Trust 31:14–18

      A. Yahweh has a close covenant relationship with David.

            David has a secure and personal relationship with the God of the Bible

      B. Yahweh is sovereign over time and events. His providence is evident.

            David is dependent on Yahweh’s rule and power (Your hand)

      C. Yahweh’s gracious favor is to be sought in prayer

      D. Yahweh is the great shepherd that saves and guides His sheep

      E. Yahweh will deal with David’s enemies

 V. David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving 31:19–24

      A. Yahweh is good 

      B. Yahweh righteously works in events for those who fear Him

      C. Yahweh is a refuge

      D. Yahweh blinds the enemy and delivers His people

      E. Yahweh should be praised for His salvation and deliverance

      F. Yahweh is the one to flee to when we are afraid and discouraged

     G. Yahweh is to be loved by His covenant people, beloved ones who love Him

     H. Yahweh preserves the humble faithful person, but resists the proud

      I. Yahweh shall strengthen your heart in trails, if you love and fear Him

          “Be strong and take heart” or “He shall strengthen your heart”

     J. Yahweh is the God of hope

         We hope in His promises and deliverance with a know-so-hope

         We should hold on in faith, regardless of our circumstances or how we feel

         Faith is not a onetime commitment; it is a lifetime commitment

         Wait on God, hope in His promised redemption, fear, love, and trust Him

       

Psalm 27: Confidence in Yahweh

A Song of Faith and Trust

 

David wrote this Psalm during a difficult time in his life. There are many guesses of when this was (1 Sam 22, 23; 2 Sam 21:16–17), but we cannot be sure. It fits in with a number of the difficult times in his life. It also helps us in the difficult times in our lives if we have a genuine faith in the God of the Bible. This Psalm can encourage us in the dark valleys. Psalms 26–28 all address the true worship of Yahweh. The worshiper is evaluated for sincerity in Psalm 26, he finds a safe haven in God’s house in Psalm 27, and he prays before the holy of hollies and receives his answer in Psalm 28. Psalm 27 is a Confidence Psalm, as is: Psalm 11, 16, 23, 62, 91, 121, 125, 131.

 

I. Confidence in Yahweh’s providential presence (past faithfulness) vs. 1–3

 

A. The LORD (Yahweh) is my Light. God is Light (1 John 1:5). Light is holiness, truth, joy, goodness, vitality and the opposite of darkness, distress, uncertainty, doubt, spiritual conflict, and powers of darkness.

B. The LORD is my Salvation. Deliverance from danger by God.  The opposite is to be captured and killed by your enemies.

C. The LORD is my Refuge. A stronghold, sanctuary, safe haven like a modern bomb shelter that is designed to resist the strongest attack. The opposite of being in a refuge is being on the front lines of a battle when your side is losing.

D. The one who has faith in Yahweh knows His providential presence and thus does not need to fear anyone or anything. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31) See Rom 8:32–39. When fear grips your heart, remember your God.

E. The believer can withstand the attacks of individual evil men who come after him like a lion or a pack of wolves because the LORD is his protector. People can devour us with their words.

Disease can devour our bodies. God is more powerful than evil men or evil things. Exod 14:19

F. The believer can withstand the attack of national enemies. (Enemies, foes, army, war) Those that attack the nation of Israel sought the life of king David.  Those that attack the church have a hatred for King Jesus and all who belong to Him.

G. The Sovereign God causes the enemies to stumble and fall. They will not ultimately win.

H. David’s inner man is full of faith and devoid of fear because his confidence is in Yahweh.

I. Can we also replace our fears with faith, our worry with worship?

 

II.  Prayer for Yahweh’s Presence (longing for worship) vs. 4–6

 

A. David deeply desires to worship God in his temple because he is seeking after God himself. Matt 6:33 (In the Bible, God seeks man, and real believers seek God. The Bible does not call lost people who want to be entertained “seekers.”  “Awakened sinners” is a better term for someone who is desiring salvation and is under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.)

B. The temple, the house of the LORD had not yet been constructed. This longing for continually being in God’s presence goes beyond the earthly assembly and tabernacle to heaven itself.

C. The beauty of Yahweh includes His glorious presence and His love and compassion for His own people. Nothing displaces fear of men better than the worship of the true God of the Bible.

D. To seek God in His temple is to prayerfully surrender to God’s will and Word.

E. Being in God’s presence can fully satisfy the desires of the believer’s heart.

F. David would inquire of the LORD before going to battle (1 Kgs 22:7; 1 Chr 20:3–14).

G. When he knew he was following God’s will he had assurance of God’s protection.

H. When we follow God’s will in the Bible we can trust Him to control the outcomes even in dangerous places.

I. God’s protection of his obedient children is awesome. (Shelter, Rock, exaltation)

J. God providential interventions should cause us to sing praises to Him. Rejoicing removes fear.

We follow God’s regulations for worship with an engaged heart and mind.

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

 

III. Prayer for Yahweh’s Presence (abandonment and dependence) vs. 7–12

 

A. David is earnest and direct in his prayer for God’s mercy and help right now.

B. David has abandoned himself to Yahweh. Once we have met our human responsibility, we must leave the results with God in faith.

C. David is fully dependant upon God. No one else will do.

D. God is reliable even when our family fails us. He is the only dependable one who keeps His covenant promises. Only God can fully satisfy the needs of a human heart.

(During Saul’s search for David to kill him, David’s parents would be put to death if they appeared to supportive. This is Hebrew poetry, so focus on the main point.) God is trustworthy.

E. David prays for guidance to do God’s will and to experience great fellowship with God.

F. “Straight paths” are obstacle free, smooth walkways. God provides safety.

G. David prays for victory over his enemies. They desire his destruction. They tell lies and plan violence against him. Yahweh can stop them in their tracts.

 

IV. Confidence in Yahweh’s providential presence (present need) vs. 13–14

 

A. David has brought his needs to the LORD in prayer.

B. Now he trust in Yahweh to answer his prayer for immediate help.

C. David believes Yahweh will come to aid of His loyal followers.

D. God’s goodness will show up in fellowship, protection, guidance, and victory.

E. David is confident in God and His covenant name, Yahweh.

F. David anticipates victory on earth, “the land of the living.”

F. Trust leads David to “wait for Yahweh” to act. He is walking by faith.

G. David encourage other believers to be “strong and take heart.” Josh 1:6–9, 18

^ESV 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

H. Faith enables the believer to access the grace to handle the most difficult trial.

^ESV 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

Have faith in God, He’s on His thrown, Have faith in God, he cares for his own. He cannot fail, He must prevail, have faith in God, have faith in God.