For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
Review
- In the first lesson, we offered some general pointers for studying the Psalms.
- We examined Psalm 1, which serves as the intro to Psalms.
- There are two paths: stay on the right path by ignoring the world’s counsel and listening to God.
- Ps 1 says, in effect, that we will prosper by becoming wise through God’s word.
- We're more likely to grow in this wisdom when we truly rejoice in God’s word.
Psalm 138:2
- "I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word" (ESV).
- Bible and Word
- The Bible gives us the Word of God.
- Jesus is the Word. When “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14), God became incarnate. The Bible didn’t become incarnate, and Jesus isn’t the Bible.
- God’s word here refers to his spoken will—which of course we learn all about in Scripture.
- We don’t worship the Bible (the idolatry called bibliolatry). We can worship Christ because in nature he is God, so this isn’t a form of idolatry.
- By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we will be able to learn God’s good and perfect will for our lives: what sorts of people we should be striving to become; how we are to live out our faith; what it means to have Christ living in us by faith.
- Lest there be any confusion, I fully embrace the truth that the Bible shows us God. It is inspired. Although we do not worship it, our worship of God will be significantly accelerated when the word of Christ is dwelling in us richly (Colossians 3:16).
Psalm 12:6
- "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times."
- What God says is true, trustworthy, and precious.
Psalm 19
- God speaks in two ways, in two books: his book of works (nature) and his book of words (Scripture).
- Notice the key terms in the psalm, different ways of referring to the Word.
- Psalm 19 emphasizes how the Word will change our lives. The end result is that our words will be true and pure—just like our heavenly Father.
Psalm 119
- The entire Psalm is structured around a single theme: God's Word.
- Selected readings: vv. 4-6, 9-12, 16, 18, 29, 32, 34-37, 60, 64, 66-68, 71-72,79-80, 93, 97, 105, 111-112, 120, 131, 133, 162, 175-176.
- The psalmist rejoices in God's law, longs for consistency, and prays that others will come to God through him as the word guides his life on the right path.
Seven prayers (from Psalm 119)
- “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your word” (18).
- “Let me not wander from your commandments” (10).
- “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain” (36).
- “Turn my eyes from worthless looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways” (37).
- “Incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end” (112).
- “Keep me steady according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me” (133).
- “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments” (176).
Heart questions
- Am I willing to become a careful reader – eyes fully open?
- Am I doing what I need to ensure my heart is captivated in God’s word, and not the world?
- How strong is the connection between God's word, truthfulness, integrity, will, nature... and mine -- between his integrity and my own? Am I putting the Word into my heart?
