A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book “ David … the sweet psalmist of Israel” 2 Samuel 23:1

Psalm 11 Title: Jehovah Is A Refuge and Judge Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 11:1, 5 Outline A. The psalmist trusts the Lord in wicked times (verses 1-3). B. The Lord tries (tests) the children of men in wicked times (verses 4-7). 2

Psalm 11: Applications for Today 1. Faith, not flight, is the psalmist’s approach to troubled times (verse 1). The Lord was his refuge. The psalmist had faith in the face of threat. He had confidence in the midst of crisis. What will come to the righteous who take a stand and put their trust in the Lord (Isa. 26:1-7)? 2. The psalmist was being told to “Flee as a bird…” (verse 1). When is it time to flee (Gen. 39:11-13; 2 Tim. 2:22)? When is it time not to flee (Neh. 6:10-11)? 3

Psalm 11: Applications for Today 3. The wicked often attack the “upright in heart” (verse 2). What determines a life that is “upright” (Gal. 2:14)? 4. When things around us in our wicked world appear to be crumbling and falling apart, the righteous should trust in the Lord who still rules from his throne in heaven (verses 3-4)? Where are God and Jesus now and what are they doing there (Rev. 4:11; 5:12-13)? 4

Psalm 11: Applications for Today 5. You cannot hide from the Lord. He sees all and examines all (verses 4-5). What are we like in the eyes of God (Heb. 4:13)? 6. Fire and brimstone are the punishment of the wicked (verse 6). What did the Lord rain down on the wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24; Lk. 17:29)? What place of fire and brimstone will be the final punishment of the wicked (Rev. 14:10; 19:20; 20:10; 21:8)? 5

Psalm 11: Applications for Today 7. The Lord of all right, loves right and will always do right. The upright will behold the Lord’s face (verse 7). What will the upright do on earth (Psa. 15:1-2) and in heaven (Rev. 22:4)? 6

Psalm 12 Title: Jehovah Helps the Needy Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 12:1,5 Outline A. The words of the lawless: perverse and proud (verses 1-4). B. The words of the Lord: pure and preserved (verses 5-8). 7

Music Notations PsalmNotationMeaning ** 3Selahpause 4, 5, 6, 8, etc.Chief Musicianthe chorus leader 4Neginothon a stringed instrument 5Nehilothwith wind instruments 6, 12Sheminiththe eighth 7Shiggaiona rhythmic poem 8Gittithinstrument, tune 8 ** The exact meaning of many of these notations is uncertain.

Psalm 12: Chi (X) asm A 1 ) Children of men (verse 1) B 1 ) Words of men (verses 2-4) C) The Lord helps (verse 5) B 2 ) Words of the Lord (verse 6-7) A 2 ) Sons of men (verse 8) 9 Chi “X”

Psalm 12: Applications for Today 1. There are times when the righteous feel lonely because the number of the faithful is few. The righteous cry, “Help, Lord” (verse 1). How did Elijah feel in his day (1 Kings 19:9-18)? What did Jeremiah (Jer. 5:1) and Micah say about the godly of their day (Mic. 7:2)? 2. Falsehood and flattery are common sins of the tongue (verses 2). What do false teachers do with their flattering lips (Rom. 16:17-18)? What did Paul refuse to do (1 Thess. 2:5)? 10

Psalm 12: Applications for Today 3. Boasting is another sin of the tongue (verse 3). What do false teachers say (2 Pet. 2:18; Jude 16)? What does the beast of Revelation say (Rev. 13:5-6)? 4. We must never think that we can use our lips to say what we want (verse 4). What does the psalmist say about controlling the tongue (Psa. 141:3)? What does James say about controlling the tongue (Jas. 3:1-12)? 5. Some people act as if they are God (verse 4). How did Paul describe the man of sin and the son of perdition (2 Thess. 2:3-4)? 11

Psalm 12: Applications for Today 6. The Lord hears the sighing of the oppressed and he will rescue them (verse 5). What warning does James give to those who oppress the poor (James 5:1-6)? 7. Unlike the words of men (verses 2-4), the Lord’s words are wholly trustworthy (verse 6). The words of the Lord are pure, proved, and preserved (verses 6-7). What did Peter write concerning the Lord’s words (1 Pet. 1:23-25)? 12

Psalm 12: Applications for Today 8. Wicked people often proudly parade their sin before others (verse 8). What did Isaiah say about the Jews of his day (Isa. 3:9)? How did Paul speak of the Gentile world of his day (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28; Eph. 4:19)? How did Peter speak of the Gentile world of his day (1 Pet. 4:3-4)? 13

Psalm 13 Title: Prayer for Help With Enemies Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 13:3 Outline A. The protest/complaint: exasperation, repeated questions (verses 1-2). B. The prayer/call: entreaty, urgent petitions (verses 3-4). C. The praise/comfort: exaltation, confident songs (verses 5-6). 14

Psalm 13: Applications for Today 1. When the righteous suffer, they often ask “How long?” (verses 1-2). What answer did the Lord give to suffering Christians who asked this question (Rev. 6:9-11)? 2. The Lord will always help us in time, but it may not be when we want him to help us. The Lord knows “how long” our trials should last because he knows exactly what we need to grow better and stronger (verses 1-2). What did James and Peter say about the benefit of trials (Jas. 1:2-4, 12; 1 Pet. 1:6-8)? 15

Psalm 13: Applications for Today 3. Suffering often causes sorrow (verse 2). What did Jesus do when suffering caused him sorrow (Mt. 26:38-39)? 4. When troubles, trials, and tribulations come, pray to God (verse 3), trust in God (verse 5), and praise God (verse 6). What did Paul do when he experienced tribulations and trials (Acts 14:22; 20:19)? What did Paul say to do in tribulations (Rom. 5:3; Eph. 3:13)? What did Peter say to do in trials (1 Pet. 1:6)? 16

Psalm 13: Applications for Today 5. Prayer and trust leads to rejoicing. Rejoice in the Lord’s salvation (verse 5). What did Mary, the shepherds, and Simeon do at the birth of Jesus (Lk. 1:47; 2:20; and 2:28)? What did Paul prescribe (Phil. 4:4-6)? 17

Psalm 14 Title: The Folly and Wickedness of Men Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 14:1 Outline A. Depravity: the corruption of the wicked (verses 1-3). B. Destruction: the conflict with the righteous (verses 4-6). C. Deliverance: the consolation of the psalmist (verse 7). 18

Psalm 14: Applications for Today 1. We live in an age where most people are “fools” and live as if “there is no God”. However, it is foolish to deny God and act as if he does not exist (verse 1). There is no good where there is no God! What happens when people refuse to have God in their life (Rom. 1:24-32; Lk. 12:20; Eph. 2:12; 2 Tim. 3:1-5)? 2. Corrupt people think and do corrupt things (verse 1). According to Jesus, where does corrupt fruit come from (Mt. 7:17-18; Lk. 6:43)? According to Paul, what is a corrupt mind lacking (1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 3:8)? 19

Psalm 14: Applications for Today 3. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (verses 1-3). What solution to sin does sinful man have (Rom. 3:23-24)? 4. A few good people “understand” and “seek after God” (verse 2). What did Paul say God wants (Acts 17:27)? What will God do to those who seek him (Heb. 11:6)? 5. We are not born in sin, but we go astray into sin after we are born (verse 3). What did Solomon say about this (Eccl. 7:29)? 20

Psalm 14: Applications for Today 6. Sin is filthy (verse 3). How did Isaiah describe Israel’s sin (Isa. 64:6)? How did Peter describe the sin of Simon (Acts 8:23)? 7. God is in the generation of the righteous (verse 5). What does God do with the righteous (1 Pet. 3:12)? 8. Salvation brings rejoicing (verse 7). What did the Eunuch and the Jailor’s household do after they were baptized (Acts 8:39; 16:34)? 21

Psalm 15 Title: The Citizen of Zion Described Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 15:1 Outline A. The question (verse 1). B. The answer (verses 2-5b). C. The promise (verse 5c). 22

The Zion Dweller Psalm 15 Positive Qualifications 1. Walks uprightly (Phil. 2:15; Tit. 2:11-13; 2 Pet. 3:14) 2. Works righteousness (Acts 10:35; 1 Jn. 3:7) 3. Speaks truth (Eph. 4:15, 25) 4. Despises the reprobate (2 Tim. 3:5, 8) 5. Honors the God-fearing (2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1) 6. Keeps his oaths (Jas. 5:12) 23

The Zion Dweller Psalm 15 Negative Qualifications 1. No slander (2 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3) 2. No doing evil (1 Pet. 3:11-12; 3 Jn. 11) 3. No reproach/neighbor (Rom. 13:8-10) 4. No usury/interest (Jas. 2:6; 5:1-6) 5. No bribery (Mk. 7:22; Rom. 1:29; 1 Thess. 2:3) 24

Psalm 15: Applications for Today 1. The psalmist gives a divine description of the Zion citizen. This is the description approved by God, not man. God’s standard is often higher than man’s standard (verses 2-5). According to the author of Hebrews, what are some of the “qualifications” of the Christian who dwells in the heavenly Zion (Heb. 10:19-25; 10:39; 11:1; 12:1-2; 12:14-17; 13:1ff)? 25

Psalm 15: Applications for Today 2. We must be ethically pure and morally right before we can worship properly and be in favor and fellowship with God (verses 2-5). What are some “qualifications” that Jesus gives (Mt. 5:3-10)? What are some “qualifications” that Paul gives (Eph. 4:25 - 5:5; Col. 3:5-14)? What are some “qualifications” that Peter gives (1 Pet. 3:8-12)? What are some of the “qualifications” that John gives (1 Jn. 1:7-9; 2:10-11; 3:4-10)? 26

Psalm 15: Applications for Today 3. The one who matches this divine description will be blessed (verse 5c). What Christian is blessed (Mt. 7:21-23, 24-25; Jas. 1:25)? 27

Psalm 11-15: Summary PsalmKey Verse(s)Classification 11: Jehovah is a refuge and judge 11:1,5Lament / Trust 12: Jehovah helps the needy 12:1,5Lament / Trust 13: Help with enemies 13:1-2Lament / Trust 14: Folly and wickedness 14:1Didactic / instruction 15: The citizen of Zion described 15:1Didactic / instruction 28