Psalm 1-8 Someone to watch over me - St Stephensststephens.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Psalms... · · 2017-06-30The book of Psalms is a meandering journey through life as

Psalm 1-8

Someone to watch over me

by Geoff Gertzen

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Introduction

The book of Psalms is a meandering journey through life as we know it. It is

full of despair at wickedness, joy in the delights of the world and struggle at

our own personal difficulties. It presents us with a life of success, blessing

and prosperity, but also with a life of misery, despair and destruction. The

Psalmists grapple with the big questions that haunt us all:

Why is the world like it is?

Why am I like I am?

What about death and what about life?

Who is God and what is he like?

Does God care about me?

How do I live a successful and blessed life?

As the Psalmists grapple with these questions they find that the difference is

the presence of God. In both the victories and the defeats, God is constant

and the way to live a blessed life. As the Psalmists remember that God is in

control and that God is good they move from their problems to a deep peace

in the middle of their chaos.

The Psalms are often hard for us to understand because of the ‘horizons of

fulfilment’ that confuse us. We often find ourselves unsure as to whether the

Psalm is about us and for us, or about someone else. In addition, the Psalms

are poetry with all of poetry’s complications. Poetry has a different purpose

to prose. Its purpose is to teach us truths but it does that through our

emotions as well as through our minds. One of the commentators (Peter

Craigie: Psalms 1-50: Word Books:1983 p36) says, “Poetry like music may

be analysed and dissected, yet ultimately it must be appreciated and

experienced.

Despite our difficulties, as we read and study the Psalms, we will find comfort

for our souls on the journey of life because the Psalms take us to the place

of comfort which is God himself. As we walk with these initial eight Psalms

we will see that God is watching over us. The fatherly love of God culminates

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in a cosmic outpouring of love when Jesus comes to die in our place. Jesus

is woven through these Psalms. He is sometimes clearly seen while at others

he is more of a shadow. At all times he is the one who watches over us and

the one that gives us a life of blessing – let’s make sure we see him.

I challenge you as I challenge myself during this term to learn a Psalm off-

by-heart - Psalm 1 would be a good place to start…if you know it, go for

Psalm 2 or Psalm 8…

Blessings

Geoff Gertzen - June 2017

Before you Start – Hebrew Poetry and Parallelism

The Psalms are poetry. To understand poetry, we have to understand

how poetry works. Hebrew poetry operates differently to English poetry.

One of the main features of Hebrew poetry is called Parallelism. The

writers often take a thought and then repeat that thought in the next line

using different words. Sometimes they do that in the next line by making

a statement that is the opposite of the first. This helps us to understand

the meaning that the writer is conveying because we get two lines that

are essentially making the same point. If we can’t get it from the first

line, then we can get it from the second. Look out for Hebrew Parallelism

in our study of the Psalms.

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1 Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the

wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of

the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and

night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by

streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the

judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the

righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the

righteous,

but the way of the wicked leads to

destruction.

Psalm 1

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Study 1 – Psalm 1

First: See what it says

1. Write all over the Psalm

a. Highlight any repeated words

b. Any words you don’t understand?

c. Make any other notes that you want to

2. Divide the Psalm into its two halves and give each section a heading.

3. Write a (short) summary sentence in your own words of the ‘big idea’

of the entire Psalm.

Second: Consider its meaning

1. What do the following words mean?

a. Blessed

b. Chaff

c. Delight

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2. Describe the two ways in which people can choose to live.

3. What two things make the difference (v1,2)?

4. Describe your favourite tree…

5. Describe a scene of utter desolation that you have seen…

6. What promises are hidden in this Psalm

a. For the righteous (v6)

b. For the wicked (v5)

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c. Do you think that the promises are true?

Third: Seeing Jesus

1. Who is the righteous person and who is the wicked

person in this Psalm? In the light of the ‘Horizons of Fulfilment’

how might this be different from your initial thoughts?

Horizons of Fulfilment

One of the great difficulties that we encounter when reading the Psalms is trying to figure out

who the Psalm is about? As we read, we find our thoughts jumping backwards and forwards

between

1. The immediate situation of the author’s struggles.

2. Times when the Psalm seems to be speaking about the first coming of Jesus.

3. Times when the Psalm seems to be speaking about heaven and the end of time.

4. Times when the Psalm seems deeply personal and appears to be speaking about us and

our struggles.

Well which is it? In our minds we instinctively jump to our personal situation first (and the Psalm

is about us) but we shouldn’t get there too quickly. The Bible is primarily set up to teach us about

God and his Son Jesus and yet amazingly the Psalms are also able to operate at all four of the

above levels all at once…wow!

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2. Was this Psalm true for Jesus?

Fourth: Making it ours

1. Discuss a situation where you have been dragged down by the

company that you have kept.

2. What does it look like to meditate on God’s law day and night? Is

this even possible for us today? Share what you do.

3. Think of someone you know who you would describe as righteous.

Ask them what is their secret (do it now by text or phone call).

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Finally: Prayer and Worship

Our Righteous Father,

The man who never walked with the wicked,

Who never stood in the way of sinners,

Or sat with the mockers.

The man who delighted in your law,

And meditated on it day and night,

Perished like the wicked,

Was blown like chaff,

Was subjected to your judgement;

So that we who deserve to perish,

Might be blessed,

Might flourish,

Might prosper,

And might be watched over by you.

We praise you for your mercy to us shown in the death of your Son

Jesus.

Amen

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1 Why do the nations conspire

and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed,

saying, 3 ‘Let us break their chains

and throw off their shackles.’

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 ‘I have installed my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.’

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, ‘You are my son;

today I have become your father. 8 Ask me,

and I will make the nations your

inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron;

you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’

Psalm 2

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10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear

and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry

and your way will lead to your

destruction,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

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Study 2 – Psalm 2


1. Divide the Psalm into four sections. Give each section a heading

describing its contents.

2. What is different about the 3rd section?

3. Write a (short) summary sentence in your own words of the ‘big idea’

of the entire Psalm.


1. What are God’s responses to human rebellion (v4-6)?

Notice the parallelism in v1, v2, v3, v4 et al

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2. Who is the ‘me’ of v7,8? Could it be someone else?

3. What does God promise to give to the ‘me’ (v8,9)?

4. Who is being warned by this Psalm (v10)? What are they being

warned to do/think?

5. Does this warning apply to us? What 5 things should we do (v10-12)?

Third: Seeing Jesus

1. How does this Psalm summarise the message of the entire Bible?

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NB Question

2. How does Jesus gain his inheritance and his rule?


1. What is the essence of wisdom (v10-12)? Are you doing this?

2. Brainstorm three ways that you can serve the Lord with fear this

week. How will you serve the Lord this week?

3. How can you rejoice with trembling?

4. What does it mean to ‘kiss the Son’ and take refuge in him? Have

you?

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5. What do we learn about God from this Psalm?

6. What do we learn about the activity and plan of God from this

Psalm?

7. What do we learn about heaven from this Psalm?


Each person should pray a short prayer using a verse from the Psalm.

Some examples might be -

Heavenly Father I desire to take refuge in you and kiss your Son. Open

my heart to be able to do that.

Father our world is evil and we scorn your rule over us. Thank you that

you are not threatened by our rebellion. Thank you that your Son is on

the throne of heaven.

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A psalm of David. When he fled from his son

Absalom.

1 Lord, how many are my foes!

How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me,

‘God will not deliver him.’

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,

my glory, the One who lifts my head

high. 4 I call out to the Lord,

and he answers me from his holy

mountain.

5 I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, because the Lord sustains

me. 6 I will not fear though tens of thousands

assail me on every side.

7 Arise, Lord!

Deliver me, my God!

Strike all my enemies on the jaw;

break the teeth of the wicked.

8 From the Lord comes deliverance.

May your blessing be on your people.

Psalm 3

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Study 3 – Psalm 3


1. Read the story that is behind this Psalm. You will find it in 2 Samuel

15:14-17. Imagine David’s state of mind and emotional confusion

after these events. Delve a little into why Absalom was able to seize

power like he did.

2. Compare verse 2 in the NIV translation to verse 2 in the ESV

translation. How does that help us understand the meaning?

3. What is the ‘holy mountain/hill’ in v4 (2 things)? (You might need to

look this up in a Bible Dictionary).

4. Write a (short) summary sentence in your own words tracing the train

of thought of the Psalm.

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1. Where does the Psalmist get comfort in his distress (v3)?

2. What happens to the Psalmist when he remembers that the LORD is

with him (v5,6)?

3. What does the Psalmist do in his distress (v4 & v7)?

4. Compare v7 & v8 in the NIV to the ESV. What did you find?

5. What four things does David pray for in these verses (ESV, v7)?

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Third: Seeing Jesus

1. What did people say to Jesus as he hung on the cross (Matthew

27:43)?

2. Do you think that v4 describes Jesus’ experience on the cross?

3. What new meaning might be hinted at in v5 because the Psalm is

fulfilled in Christ?


1. Will God deliver you from your enemies (think hard about this)?

How? How does that help us in our suffering?

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2. How does this Psalm help us with a strategy when we are

worrying?


Our Father,

You did not deliver Jesus so that you might deliver us.

You are our shield and our protector.

You hear our prayers.

We rest because you sustain us.

We are unafraid because you surround us.

We ask for you to arise and destroy your enemies.

May your blessing be upon your people.

Amen

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For the director of music. With

stringed instruments. A psalm of

David.

1 Answer me when I call to you,

my righteous God.

Give me relief from my distress;

have mercy on me and hear my

prayer.

2 How long will you people turn my

glory into shame?

How long will you love

delusions and seek false gods? 3 Know that the Lord has set apart

his faithful servant for himself;

the Lord hears when I call to

him.

4 Tremble and do not sin;

when you are on your beds,

search your hearts and be

silent.

Psalm 4

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5 Offer the sacrifices of the

righteous

and trust in the Lord.

6 Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who

will bring us prosperity?’

Let the light of your face

shine on us. 7 Fill my heart with joy

when their grain and new

wine abound.

8 In peace I will lie down and

sleep,

for you alone, Lord,

make me dwell in safety.

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Study 4 – Psalm 4


1. Draw a ‘Scatter Diagram’ dividing the Psalm into its four sections.

Give each section a heading. At the centre of your diagram try and

put a phrase summarising the whole Psalm.

2. Who does David address in each section?

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3. Notice one section of Hebrew parallelism in the Psalm.

4. Notice the movement of thought from v1 through v3 into v7 and

ending at v8.


1. When could you pray/use this Psalm (v1b, v4, v8)?

2. Find the petitions/requests in the Psalm (v1b, v6b).

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3. Find the confidence in the Psalmist’s thoughts (v3, v7-8).

4. How does David understand the world (v1-2, v8)?

Third: Seeing Jesus

1. Could Jesus have prayed the initial verses of this Psalm on the

cross? What about v8?

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1. Discuss the peace and joy that the Psalmist has in the latter

stages of the Psalm that are in sharp contrast to the distress that

he is under in the early stage.

2. How can you be angry and not sin?

3. Where do peace and joy come from?


Let each person take one verse from the Psalm and turn it into a prayer

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For the director of music. For pipes. A

psalm of David.

1 Listen to my words, Lord,

consider my lament. 2 Hear my cry for help,

my King and my God,

for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my

voice;

in the morning I lay my requests

before you

and wait expectantly. 4 For you are not a God who is pleased

with wickedness;

with you, evil people are not welcome. 5 The arrogant cannot stand

in your presence.

You hate all who do wrong; 6 you destroy those who tell lies.

The bloodthirsty and deceitful

you, Lord, detest. 7 But I, by your great love,

can come into your house;

in reverence I bow down

towards your holy temple.

Psalm 5

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8 Lead me, Lord, in your

righteousness

because of my enemies –

make your way straight before

me. 9 Not a word from their mouth can

be trusted;

their heart is filled with malice.

Their throat is an open grave;

with their tongues they tell lies. 10 Declare them guilty, O God!

Let their intrigues be their

downfall.

Banish them for their many sins,

for they have rebelled against

you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you

be glad;

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name

may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the

righteous;

you surround them with your

favour as with a shield.

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Study 5 - Psalm 5


1. Read the Psalm and look for clues that suggest when this Psalm

might be used?

2. What genre of Psalm would you consider this Psalm to be? Choose

from the list below

Praise

Thanksgiving

Royal Psalms

Wisdom

Lament

Song of Zion

3. How does that help us to know what is behind the Psalm?

4. Give the Psalm a title.

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1. What do we learn about the character of God from the Psalm (two

things) (v4-6 & v11-12)?

2. Why is God’s hatred of evil and his delight in those who love him a

dilemma for God?

3. What do we learn about the Psalmist’s situation (v2, v8, v10-12)?

4. Why is the word temple/house in v7 a problem? What solution can

you propose for that?

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5. What does David pray for in this Psalm (v10-12)?

Third: Seeing Jesus

1. Look up Romans 3:10. Who does the New Testament include in

the ones who do evil?

2. Could Jesus have prayed the initial verses of this Psalm on the

cross?

3. How did Jesus pray for his enemies on the cross?

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1. How do you feel about a God that cannot and will not tolerate

wickedness?

2. Do you pray for God to destroy evil? Why do we not usually pray

for God to destroy evil? When does this often change in our own

experience? How could you pray this Psalm when you are the

victim of evil?

3. Does this Psalm have implications on your view of the death

penalty?

4. Discuss the peace and joy that the Psalmist has in the latter

stages of the Psalm that are in sharp contrast to the distress that

he is under in the early stage.

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Our Father

We are guilty of evil, wickedness and arrogance.

We do wrong; we tell lies and we are deceitful.

Our mouths cannot be trusted; our hearts are full of destruction; we have

many sins and we have rebelled against you.

We come to you in reverence; we bow towards you; we are in need of your

righteousness and your refuge.

Spread your protection over us; cover us with the shadow of the cross;

surround us with a shield and bless us we pray.

In Christ’s name alone we ask.

Amen

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For the director of music. With

stringed instruments. According

to sheminith. A psalm of David.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your

anger

or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am

faint;

heal me, Lord, for my bones are

in agony. 3 My soul is in deep anguish.

How long, Lord, how long?

4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;

save me because of your

unfailing love. 5 Among the dead no one

proclaims your name.

Who praises you from his

grave?

6 I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with

weeping

and drench my couch with tears.

Psalm 6

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7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;

they fail because of all my foes.

8 Away from me, all you who do

evil,

for the Lord has heard my

weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my cry for

mercy;

the Lord accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be

overwhelmed with shame and

anguish;

they will turn back and suddenly

be put to shame.

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Study 6 – Psalm 6


1. Divide the Psalm into its three stanzas. Give each stanza a heading.


1. List the six prayers of the Psalmist (3 parallelisms) (v1-5).

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2. Where does the Psalmist end up after he has prayed (v8-10)? Why?

What does he remember (3 things)?

3. List three things that we are taught about God in this Psalm (v1-2; v3-

4 & v10; v8-9)?

Third: Seeing Jesus

1. How does reading this Psalm as if it were Jesus speaking

influence its meaning? How does reading the Psalm as if it is us

speaking influence its meaning? Which is it? Do we have to

choose?

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2. How are the enemies of Jesus turned back in shame? What event

causes this?


1. What difference does it make that God is listening to our prayers

and able to act upon them in our distress?

2. How does the Bible understand the connection between sickness

and sin?

3. How can God not rebuke us, nor discipline us?

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4. What difference does it make to your life that Jesus is coming

back?


The first stanza of this Psalm is a beautiful prayer that you could pray for

someone who is sick or suffering. Do you know someone that would benefit

from a prayer like this?

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A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush,

a Benjaminite.

1 Lord my God, I take refuge in you;

save and deliver me from all who pursue me, 2 or they will tear me apart like a lion

and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

3 Lord my God, if I have done this

and there is guilt on my hands – 4 if I have repaid my ally with evil

or without cause have robbed my foe – 5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;

let him trample my life to the ground

and make me sleep in the dust.

6 Arise, Lord, in your anger;

rise up against the rage of my enemies.

Awake, my God; decree justice. 7 Let the assembled peoples gather round you,

while you sit enthroned over them on high. 8 Let the Lord judge the peoples.

Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,

according to my integrity, O Most High. 9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked

and make the righteous secure –

you, the righteous God

who probes minds and hearts.

Psalm 7

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10 My shield is God Most High,

who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge,

a God who displays his wrath every day. 12 If he does not relent,

he will sharpen his sword;

he will bend and string his bow. 13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;

he makes ready his flaming arrows.

14 Whoever is pregnant with evil

conceives trouble and gives birth to

disillusionment. 15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out

falls into the pit they have made. 16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;

their violence comes down on their own

heads.

17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his

righteousness;

I will sing the praises of the name of

the Lord Most High.

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Study 7 – Psalm 7


1. What do we know about ‘Cush, a Benjamite’? Does it matter?

2. What do we know about the tribe of Benjamin and their

relationship with David (see 2 Sam 16:5ff; 20:1ff)?

3. What is a Shiggaion?

4. Split the Psalm into its five stanzas.

5. Below are five possible titles for the stanzas. Match the title to the

stanza. If you can improve on the title, do so…

Arise Lord and save the innocent

God is my protector

Judge me if I am guilty

Save me from my enemies

The evil will destroy themselves

6. Highlight the repeated word in this Psalm.

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1. What is the situation behind the Psalm (v1-2)?

2. Does the writer think he is innocent or guilty (v3-5)? Do you think

David was innocent? Are we innocent or guilty (Psalm 5)?

3. What does the Psalmist want God to do (v6-9)? Ever feel like that?

4. What is David’s security (v10-13)? What do we learn about the

character of God from this section?

5. Where does the Psalm end (v17)?

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Third: Seeing Jesus

1. Was this Psalm true for Jesus?

2. How did God make the unrighteous secure?


1. Could we pray this Psalm?

2. What pattern are we starting to see in these Psalms? Do your

prayers in trouble look like these Psalms?

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3. What does it mean for our lives that God is righteous?


1 Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,

while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high;

hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;

safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last!

2 Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on thee;

leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.

All my trust on thee is stayed, all my help from thee I bring;

cover my defenseless head with the shadow of thy wing.

3 Plenteous grace with thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;

let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.

Thou of life the fountain art; freely let me take of thee;

spring thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity.

Charles Wesley

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For the director of music. According

to gittith. A psalm of David.

1 Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all

the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens. 2 Through the praise of children

and infants

you have established a

stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the

avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are

mindful of them,

human beings that you care for

them?

5 You have made them a little

lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory

and honour. 6 You made them rulers over the

Psalm 8

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works of your hands;

you put everything under

their feet: 7 all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the

seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in

all the earth!

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Study 8 – Psalm 8


1. Look for the repeated phrase.

2. Can you divide the Psalm into sections? Give each section a title.

3. Summarise the Psalm in one ‘big idea’.

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1. Where can/do we see the greatness of God (v1, v3)?

2. What does v2 mean?

3. In the light of the greatness of God what surprises the Psalmist (v4)?

Why?

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4. What difference to the meaning does him/them make in v4-6?

5. Who is the primary subject of v5-7?

Unfortunately, the NIV of 2012 has made a mess of the translation of this

Psalm. The latest NIV edition has endeavoured to update the Bible with gender

neutral language. This is a commendable and right thing to do because

language is not static and cultures change. However, in Psalm 8, when the

writer uses ‘man’ he is primarily thinking of ‘a man’ - the Son of Man - and only

‘men’ as in ‘humanity’ in a secondary sense.

Remember that translation is a difficult task. Don’t be too hard on the new NIV

- by and large it is a good middle of the road translation - but always keep

another translation handy (like the ESV) to check out your primary translation

in order to help you to understand what is being communicated.

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Third: Seeing Jesus

1. What do we learn about Jesus from this Psalm?


1. What do we learn about humans from this Psalm? Think of ways in

which we might get this wrong in our lives.

2. How could you/will you spend more time meditating on the

greatness of God?

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As we finish our studies in the Psalms take a moment in prayer to reflect

back on the God we have met and his care for us in the mess of life. Choose

a verse from any of these eight Psalms and pray it to God.

Documents

Psalm 1-8 Someone to watch over me - St Stephensststephens.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Psalms... · · 2017-06-30The book of Psalms is a meandering journey through life as