ComfortfromPsalms Sometimes We Hurt Sometimes We Hurt Sometimes We Get Discouraged Sometimes We Get Discouraged Sometimes We Feel Lonely Sometimes We Feel Lonely Sometimes Our Faith Gets Weak Sometimes Our Faith Gets Weak Sometime We Almost Quit Sometime We Almost Quit

Frustration Turns to Trust I.A Frustrated Heart (vv. 1-8) II.A Wicked Friend (vv. 9-15) III.A Resolve in God (vv ) Psalm 55 Review

Change 6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. 7 Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah 8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest." 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Thought About Flying Away To Fly to God Is Better Review

I.The Psalm II.Lessons From the Psalm Review

I.Seems Like God Has Forgotten His People (1-9) A.Cries out to God – finds no comfort (vv. 1-3) B.Troubled and thinks back (v. 4-6) C.Questions: has God forgotten (vv. 7-9) II.Hope and Confidence Based on the Past (10-20) A.Admits his thinking was wrong (vv ) B.His comfort is in God (vv ) Seems That God Has Forgotten His People Review

Lessons From The Psalm 1.Cry out to God & express your grief (vv. 1-3) 2.Sleepless nights of anguish can drive sober thinking (vv. 4-6) 3.Ask questions – but seek the answer (vv. 7-9) 4.Troubled soul has a narrow focus (vv ) 5.Remember God’s power is greater than power of world (vv ) 6.God has delivered his people & can deliver (vv ) Review

Two Psalms of Comfort Psalm 17 A Plea for Help When Oppressed Psalm 121 Jehovah is the Keeper of His People Review

Plea for Help When Oppressed I.Plea to Hear (vv. 1-5) A.Plea for God when unjustly treated (vv. 1-2) B.Declaration of innocence (vv. 3-5) II.Plea for Mercy (vv. 6-12) A.God hears my cry – so show mercy (vv. 6-7) B.Keep me as the apple of your eye (vv. 8-9) C.Enemy (arrogant) seeks my harm (vv ) III.Plea for Deliverance (vv ) A.Delivered by your sword (v. 13) B.Enemy’s focus is only on this life (v. 14) C.Hope is in righteousness – Satisfied at resurrection (v. 15) Review

Comfort Learned from the Psalm 1.Often we feel unjustly treated (strive to do right and still…) – our vindication is ultimately from the Lord (vv. 1-2) 2.Must appeal to God from a position of righteousness. We cannot expect the Lord to bless if don’t live right (vv. 3-5) 3.Assurance that God hears – even if he lets you go through the trial or test (v. 6) 4.Power is in word (v. 4) 5.“Peace is the portion of the one who prays” (Scroggie) 6.God’s sword (his word) defends us (v. 13) Review

What Does It Mean to Turn to God? 1.Obey his word 2.Pray Review

Jehovah is the Keeper of his People I.Lord Helps (vv. 1-4) A.Help only comes from God (vv. 1-2) B.God watches – does not sleep – always involved (vv. 3-4) II.Lord Keeps (vv. 5-6) A.Lord is your keeper – [ft note: protection] (v. 5) B.Lord is your shade (v. 6) III.Lord Preserves (vv. 7-8) A.When he preserves (vv. 7a, 8b) 1.Now from evil (7a) 2.Forevermore (v. 8b) B.What he preserves – soul (v. 7b) C.Where he preserves – in totality of activities (v. 8a) Review

Comfort Learned from the Psalm 1.Look to God for help 2.“Many hearts have been strengthened for the pilgrimage of life by this song” (Leupold) 3.God watches over his people in all their activities Review

What Does it Mean to Look to God? 1.Look to his word 2.Obey his word 3.Pray Review

I.Prayer for Forgiveness (vv. 1-4) II.Plea for Renewal (vv. 5-12) III.Pledge of Gratitude (vv ) IV.Petition for Zion (vv ) Review

Five Psalms of Comfort I.Psalm 42 II.Psalm 61 III.Psalm 91 IV.Psalm 116 V.Psalm 119:49-56

Five Psalms of Comfort I.Psalm 42 II.Psalm 61 III.Psalm 91 IV.Psalm 116 V.Psalm 119:49-56

Psalm 42 A.Point of the Psalm: 1.Thirsting for God in time of despair 2.“Laughter through tears” (Scroggie)

Psalm 42 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: 1.Psalmist feels separated from God – greatly disturbed – longing for God with greater craving than physical thirst 2.V. 3 – Tears day and night 3.V. 3 – Others ask “where is your God?” 4.V. 4 – Not able to go to temple 5.Vv. 5-6 – Why cast down? 6.V. 9 – Forgotten & oppressed 7.V. 10 – Like breaking bones 8.V. 11 – Cast down

“These Psalms give expression to conflicting emotions, such as people of God have experienced in all ages. Sorrow and song, fear and faith, doubt and devotion are strangely intermingled.” - W. Graham Scroggie

Psalm 42 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: C.Comfort: 1.Hope in God (v. 5) a.Rest on him b.“Build on Him” (Leupold) 2.Praise (v. 5) 3.Remember (vv. 6-8) a.Remembering what already know – brings comfort b.“Some basic truths give anchorage to this troubled soul” (Leupold) 4.Pray (v. 8)

Five Psalms of Comfort I.Psalm 42 II.Psalm 61 III.Psalm 91 IV.Psalm 116 V.Psalm 119:49-56

Psalm 61 A.Point of the Psalm: 1.“A king in exile” (Scroggie) 2.An exile is overwhelmed 3.David fleeing Absolam

Psalm 61 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: 1.V. 2 – Feels overwhelmed 2.V. 2 – Feels at end of earth (far away) 3.V. 2 – Needs help of God to escape to rock

Psalm 61 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: C.Comfort: 1.God is shelter (v. 3) 2.God is strong tower (v. 3) 3.Trust in shelter of wings (v. 4) 4.God hears (v. 5) 5.Praise him (v. 8) 6.Daily Service (v. 8)

Five Psalms of Comfort I.Psalm 42 II.Psalm 61 III.Psalm 91 IV.Psalm 116 V.Psalm 119:49-56

Psalm 91 A.Point of the Psalm: 1.Security – protection for one who trust God 2.“Absolute security” (Jensen) 3.“However, it is in striking contrast with Ps. 90. The latter is somber and stately; this is bright and simple. The one breathes deep insight; the other cheerful trust.” (Leupold)

Psalm 91 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: 1.Life is short and full of trouble (90:7-12) 2.Request of God for good days (90:13-17) 3.Needs deliverance (v. 3) 4.Terror in the night (v. 5) 5.Arrows shot (v. 5) 6.Lion and cobra (v. 13)

Psalm 91 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: C.Comfort: 1.Trust in God (v. 2) 2.Protection and safety (vv. 3-13) 3.Remember and rely on promises of God (vv )

Five Psalms of Comfort I.Psalm 42 II.Psalm 61 III.Psalm 91 IV.Psalm 116 V.Psalm 119:49-56

Psalm 116 A.Point of the Psalm: 1.Thanksgiving for recovery / deliverance from suffering 2.Paying debt to God for deliverance

Psalm 116 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: 1.Suffering (vv. 3-4) 2.Tears (v. 8) 3.Threat of death (v. 8) “The psalms often seem to be purposely vague regarding such situations so that any man might find his own situation reflected.” (H. C. Leupold)

Psalm 116 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: C.Comfort: 1.God answers (vv. 1-2) 2.God is gracious and merciful (vv. 5, 7) 3.God delivers (vv. 5-8) 4.Faithful service (vv. 9-19) 5.Call upon God (vv. 2, 4, 13, 17) 6.Lord keeps simple (v. 6) – safeguards the helpess

Five Psalms of Comfort I.Psalm 42 II.Psalm 61 III.Psalm 91 IV.Psalm 116 V.Psalm 119:49-56

Psalm 119:49-56 A.Point of the Psalm: 1.Whole Psalm: Love for the law of God (word of God) 2.This section: Word comforts in times of distress

Psalm 119:49-56 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: 1.Affliction (v. 50) 2.Proud hold him in derision (v. 51) 3.Wicked forsake law (v. 53)

Psalm 119:49-56 A.Point of the Psalm: B.Need for comfort: C.Comfort: 1.Word gives hope (v. 49) 2.Word comforts (vv. 50, 52) 3.Word gives life (v. 50) 4.Hold fast to law (v. 51) 5.Keep law (vv )

Five Psalms of Comfort I.Psalm 42 II.Psalm 61 III.Psalm 91 IV.Psalm 116 V.Psalm 119:49-56