Bible Study Notes in Psalms- Chapter 89

Psalm 89

 

-Theme: God fulfills His covenant promises through His servant David and his descendants ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who will reign eternally. The lovingkindness and faithfulness promised to King David is ours by faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

-Historical Insight: This Psalm is a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. Ethan, who was a Levite leader and probably one of the head musicians in the Temple is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 15:17, 19.

-*Application* This Psalm denotes the plan for the Kingdom of God, which was fulfilled through His promises to David and inaugurated in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. While Christ’s Kingdom is yet to be consummated, it is growing and taking over the whole by proclamation and power ever since His first incarnation just over 2,000 years ago (Daniel 2:35, 44-45; 7:9-14, 18, 27, Matthew 24:14). The blessed ones are the ones who know the joyful sound of the LORD and walk in the Light of His countenance (Psalm 89:15). To them He is the personification of lovingkindness, faithfulness, exaltation, and power. While we must endure in the waiting, God will conquer, and His hosts will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12)!

 

Verse to Memorize: Psalm 89:15

Bible Study Notes in Psalms- Chapter 88

Psalm 88

 

-Theme: When there is misery with no relief in sight, the God of our salvation hears our cries and understands our deepest needs.

-Historical Insight: This is a Psalm of Herman, one of the sons of Korah, for the choir director in the Temple. It is according to Mahalath Leannoth, a Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. This may very well be the same man mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15:19; 16:41; 25:4-5 as a musician and the king’s seer.

-*Application* There will be trouble at times in this life (John 16:33). While we rest in the fact that Jesus has overcome the world, our times of misery and despair threaten our peace, hope, and joy in often very unrelenting ways. During these dark times of the soul, continue to reach out in prayer and supplication before the LORD both day and night (Psalm 88:1). He is our salvation and restoration. God knows our needs before we even ask, so don’t hesitate to beseech His grace, mercy, and comfort in your dire straits. Feel forsaken with a lot of questions? You are not alone as proven by the Psalmist here. At times we can feel low and deep in the pit of anguish, but the truth is that God is watching out for our well-being and will again look on you with favor if you hold on to His promises. He often withdraws so that we will come running back to Him with more love, more determination, and more devotion. This allows us to grow in our dependence on Him and makes us realize that we have nothing but Him for our sustenance. Your affliction always has a purpose, and God will make you more like Him in the process of suffering. He does not reject forever. Hold on to Him when things seem bleakest. Be honest with God about your feelings, the Psalmist certainly does here as we can see, but then look for His glimpses and glimmers of hope. The turnaround will come. When your heart finds troubled times, remember that this too shall pass!

 

Verse to Memorize: Psalm 88:1

Bible Study Notes in Psalms- Chapter 87

Psalm 87

 

-Theme: The city of God, where God resides forever with all His believing children. Zion, the Holy Temple, the gathering of the elect, God’s Jerusalem, the LORD’s love of this place over all of the other dwelling places of Jacob, the Glory of the city of David where the Christ shall reign.

-Historical Insight: Written by the Temple assistants, the sons of Korah as a song in respect of the holy mountain.

-*Application* God has established His Kingdom both materially and spiritually. While the geographic fact of Jerusalem exists, and will exist anew in the eschaton, the spiritual implications of union with this magnificent God should spring out in our understanding and just thrill the soul. The LORD Most High establishes His dominion in this place where worship and praise reside. God is the registrar of the people who will inhabit this wonderful domicile. All His springs of joy and salvation are in her as redemption gives birth to eternal existence!

 

Verse to Memorize: Psalm 87:2

Bible Study Notes in Psalms- Chapter 86

Psalm 86

 

-Theme: Trusting in the living and only God in times of deep need and trouble. Abiding in the ways of the LORD through difficulties and stress. Prayer for our wellbeing is heard by the Almighty, and He will respond in His lovingkindness and truth for the salvation of our soul.

-Historical Insight: This is a Psalm of David when he was being pursued by arrogant, violent, and godless men who arose against him and were seeking his life (Psalm 86:14).

-*Application* When do we need to know that God is on our side the most? It is, of course, in those times of desperation and calamity that threaten our well-being. Call on Him; He answers (Psalm 86:7). The day of trouble can take many forms, and none of us are exempt from it. Not even King David nor Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, could escape times of testing, trial, and trouble from wicked, vile, and evil people who sought to do harm. It is in those times when we really need to cling to our Foundation, which is the LORD God. He is our merciful, gracious, loving, patient, and truthful Guide. Unite your heart to trust and fear Him alone (Psalm 86:2, 11). He will forgive, deliver, strengthen, help, and comfort you too (Psalm 86:5, 13, 16-17)!

 

Verse to Memorize: Psalm 86:11

Bible Study Notes in Psalms- Chapter 85

Psalm 85

 

-Theme: From reverence to restoration. Forgiveness is the result of repentance, which leads to redemption, lovingkindness, truth, righteousness, peace, and God’s glory.

-Historical Insight: This is another Psalm of the sons of Korah for the choir director in Temple worship. These again were the Temple assistants and servants of the most high LORD.

-*Application* Our spiritual lives need revitalization periodically when we fall out of favor with our God and King. The reverence for Him and desire for closeness has everything to do with His blessings and peace of our lives. He is the only One who can cover and forgive our sins and make us clean again with His holy righteousness. This is where our ultimate joy, hope, and love are found and abound. Once we have His presence living in us and setting us free from sin, it is foolishness and folly to go back to wayward paths, which lead us into danger, terror, and disaster. Don’t drive a wedge in your fellowship with your Creator. We give God His due glory when we abide in His truth, which leads to His salvation and a life well lived. “Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its produce (Psalm 85:12).” God is the only One who is totally righteous and He is THE way (Psalm 85:13, John 14:6).

 

Verse to Memorize: Psalm 85:9

Bible Study Notes in Psalms: Chapter 84

Psalm 84

 

-Theme: Living in God’s presence continually. The blessed man is the one who dwells in the LORD’s House, finds his strength in God, and trusts in Him. God is the One who gives power, light, protection, grace, and glory (Psalm 84:7, 11).

-Historical Insight: This is a Psalm of the sons of Korah for the choir director on the Gittith. The sons of Korah were the Temple assistants who knew very well the confines of the LORD’s House. The writer longs to get away from the hectic world to meet God inside His dwelling place, a sanctuary and place of meditation with peace. The pilgrimage through the barren valley of Baca (baca- weeping) is probably symbolic since there is no specific valley that has ever been known to bear that particular name in the region. The symbolism represents the sorrow, struggles, tears, and pain that people experience on their journey back to God with His rich grace and healing.

-*Application* We often journey through difficulties on our way to God’s redemptive touch in our lives. Better is one day in His courts, which last forever, than a thousand elsewhere. This should cause us to see the eternal in spite of the temporary pleasures of this world. The real euphoria comes with abiding in the King, and He withholds no good thing from those who walk in His righteousness, forgiven and set free from sin. This only can happen through trusting in Him to save. Be the blessed man!

 

Verses to Memorize: Psalm 84:11-12

Bible Study Notes in Psalms- Chapter 83

Psalm 83

 

-Theme: Protection of His people. A prayer for God to do whatever it takes to convince the nations of the world that He is indeed God. Sooner or later all will acknowledge that the LORD is in charge.

-Historical Insight: A Psalm of Asaph or possibly one of his descendants. Israel’s enemies (Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria) are indicted for conspiring and cohorting against the children of God for overthrow and destruction of His Kingdom. These are traditional and historical enemies of Israel in the surrounding regions of the Middle East.

-*Application* There are definitely times that we cry out for our God to awake and thunder His answers rather than the “still small Voice” that is often characteristic of His ways (1 Kings 19:12, KJV). How many times have we seen our own enemies “make an uproar” and exalt themselves planning schemes in tandem against us as we, as Christians, attempt to do the righteous thing? This can be debilitating unless we remember this Psalm and claim its promises. God will fight for us even against formidable foes in the highest of spiritual places. But, the imprecatory prayer against God’s enemies can be applied to us if we are not walking with Christ. God’s people will be everlasting, His haters will blow away like “whirling dust” or “chaff before the wind” as the LORD pursues them. Dishonor, shame, and terror should drive all of us to seek the Name of the true God. When we do, we will find His peace, rest, humility, and eternal glory. He is the most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:18).

 

Verse to Memorize: Psalm 83:18