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 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.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Daily Guide: Week 85
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 Psalm 120
A Cry For Deliverance From A Treacherous Tongue
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
1. What does the psalmist say he did in times of distress, verse 1?
2. What is the psalmist crying out for deliverance from, verse 2?
3. To what does the psalmist compare the tongue, verse 4?
4. In verses 5 & 6 the psalmist seems to be giving a reason for his deceitful tongue. What do you understand as his reason?
5. 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 the words from your tongue from being deceitful.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Daily Guide: Week 84
Psalms
Monday – Read Psalm 113
Hallelujah Psalm – God Praised For Exalting The Humble
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 God should be praised? Because He is above all and over all and there is no one like Him.
2. What does the psalmist say God does for the poor, verse 7? He raises them up and provides for them.
3. What does the psalmist say God does for the barren woman, verse 9? He gives her a home and makes her the joyous mother of children.
4. What do these two things, what God does for the poor and barren woman, say about the character of God? God cares for those who do not have anyone to provide and protect them.
5. 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 His concern and care for those who have no one to look after their interests.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Daily Guide: Week 83
Psalms
Monday – Read Psalm 113
Hallelujah Psalm – God Praised For Exalting The Humble
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 God should be praised?
2. What does the psalmist say God does for the poor, verse 7?
3. What does the psalmist say God does for the barren woman, verse 9?
4. What do these two things, what God does for the poor and barren woman, say about the character of God?
5. 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 His care and concern for those who are poor and have no one to look out for their interests.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Daily Guide: Week 82
Psalms
Monday – Read Psalm 106
Hallelujah Psalm – This psalm is called a “Hallelujah Psalm” because in Hebrew it begins and ends with the Hebrew word for hallelujah. This psalm is also historical, dealing with the Children of Israel from the Red Sea to the Babylonian Captivity, listing their sins against 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 we should give thanks to the Lord? Because He is good and His steadfast love endures forever.
2. What does the psalmist say he has in common with his ancestors, verse 6? They had sinned against God.
3. Why does the psalmist say God saved His people at the Red Sea, verse 8? For His name’s sake.
4. What fact does verse 15 teach you about prayer? Sometimes God gives you what you ask for, even when it is not the best thing for you.
5. What does the psalmist say Moses did for the people after they had made the golden calf, verse 23? Stood in the gap, became their intercessor before God.
6. What other individual does the psalmist say stood in the gap for the Children of Israel when they had sinned, verse 30? Phinehas, the High Priest after Aaron.
7. What did the Children of Israel not do as they conquered the Promised Land that was commanded by God, verse 34? They did not drive the inhabitants out of the land they captured.
8. Even though the psalmist says the Children of Israel sinned many times against God, why does He say God spared them, verse 45?Because of His covenant with Abraham and the abundance of His steadfast love.
9. 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 those who are willing to be intercessors and stand in the gap before Him for others.