Daily Study Guide: Week 87

Psalms

Psalms 120 thru 134 have “A Song of Ascents” at the beginning of each psalm. These were songs that were sung by bands of traveling pilgrims. However, there are different ideas in regards to where these pilgrims were traveling to as they sang these psalms. The two most common ideas are that they were sung by the Jews returning from captivity or they were sung by the Jews as they went to Jerusalem for the feasts. Since four of these psalms are ascribed to David and one to Solomon, some suggest they could not be psalms sung on the return from captivity. However, authorship would not limit the time of their use since both David and Solomon lived and wrote before the captivity. However, these being the psalms sung by the Jews as they made their three pilgrimages to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the feasts seems a better fit.

The argument against that position is that both David and Solomon, as kings of Israel, lived in Jerusalem and would not be among the traveling pilgrims. However, from the reading of these 15 psalms, I doubt that it makes any difference of the time of their use.  Even though the topics of the psalms differ, you will notice there are recurring ideas among them; primarily that God is the protector and deliverer of His people and blesses them, and the thanksgivings of the people for His protection, deliverance and blessings.

Monday – Read Psalms 126 & 127

Psalm 126 - Thanksgiving For Return From Captivity

Psalm 127 – Prosperity Comes From God

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.

1. Why does the psalmist say the people are rejoicing, verse 1?

2. What do you think it means, “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,”  verse 1?

3. What do you think verse 6 means?

4. What are the two things that the psalmist uses to illustrate the blessings of God in Psalm 127?

5. What does the psalmist say about anxious toil, verse 2?

6. What does the psalmist say is the answer for anxious toil?

7. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?

Prayer: Thank God for the different areas of prosperity in your life and ask Him to help you learn how to live without being anxious but always trusting Him.

Tuesday – Read Psalms 128 & 129

Psalm 128 - Prosperity Of Those That Fear God

Psalm 129 - God Delivers His People

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.

8. What does the psalmist say those that fear the LORD do, verse 1?

9. What does the psalmist say will happen for those who fear the LORD, verse 2?

10. Why does the psalmist ask that the people be blessed by seeing the prosperity of Jerusalem, verse 5?

11. What does the psalmist say about those who had afflicted him, verse 2?

12. What does the psalmist say God will do to the wicked?

13.  What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?

Prayer: Thank God for being your helper and the one who watches over and protects you.

Wednesday – Read Psalms 130 & 131

Psalm 130 - Forgiveness Through God’s Love

Psalm 131 - Humble Trust In God

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.

14. Why does the psalmist say no one could stand if God marked iniquities, verse 3?

15. What does the psalmist say one can find with God, verse 4?

16. Why does the psalmist say Israel should hope in the LORD, verse 7?

17. What do you think is the meaning of Psalm 131:1?

18. What does the psalmist say is the answer for life, verse 3?

19. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?

Prayer: Ask God to help you always keep your hope in Him and not in the material things of life.

Thursday – Read Psalms 132

Messianic – God Blesses The Sanctuary And The Holy City

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.

20. What does the psalmist say was the vow David made to God?

21. What does the psalmist say God would be doing if He went to the resting place prepared for Him by David?

22. What does the psalmist say God promised David?

23 What did God promise to the sons of David?

24.  What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?

Prayer: Thank God for the fulfillment of His promise to David in sitting Christ on his throne.

 Friday – Read Psalms 133 & 134

Psalm 133 – The Excellence Of Brotherly Unity

Psalm 134 – Greetings Of The Night Watchers

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.

25. Why does the psalmist say it is good when brother dwell in unity?

26. What is the psalmist calling for the night watchers to do?

27. Why do you think the psalmist would be calling for the night watchers to take this action?

28. Why do you think the psalmist is asking the LORD’s blessings on the night watchers?

29. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?

Prayer:  Pray for unity among the brethren.

Saturday –  Read Psalm 135

Vanity Of Idols

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared from you during your study.

30. How does the psalmist say he knows the LORD is great?

31. What does the psalmist say the LORD has done to show His greatness?

32. What does the psalmist say God will do for His people?

33. Why does the psalmist say the people should bless the LORD?

34. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?

Prayer:  Thank God for showing His power and glory through the creation.