Wednesday
Evening Bible Study
December 17, 2003
Psalm 71 – The song for old age
This appears to be a song that David wrote in his old age:
(Psa 71:9 KJV) Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me
not when my strength faileth.
(Psa 71:18 KJV) Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God,
forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy
power to every one that is to come.
Illustration
You know you're getting older when...
most of your dreams are reruns,
the airline attendant offers you coffee, tea, or Milk of Magnesia,
you sit down in a rocking chair and you can't get it started.
your mind makes commitments your body can't keep,
the little grey-haired lady you help across the street is your wife,
hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work,
you sink your teeth into a juicy steak and they stay there,
you watch a pretty girl go by and your pacemaker makes the garage door
open.
Illustration
Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of
years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a
set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly
gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, “your hearing
is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again.” To which
the gentleman said, “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit around and
listen to the conversations. I’ve changed my will three times!”
:1-13 Help me in my trouble
:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
put to confusion – buwsh –
to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed
David is not talking about being “confused” as an older person. He’s
talking about being ashamed.
:4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked
David is old and he’s still having troubles.
The battles don’t stop until you get to heaven.
A.W. Tozer: “This life is not a playground, it’s a battleground”
:5 thou art my trust from my youth.
Even though David appears to be old now, he says that he’s trusted in God
since his youth.
:7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
wonder – mowpheth –
wonder, sign, miracle, portent; wonder (as a special display of God’s power)
(Ps 71:7 NLT) {7} My life is an example to many, because you have
been my strength and protection.
(Ps 71:7 NASB95) {7} I have become a marvel to many, For You are my
strong refuge.
What does my life show to others?
:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Not complaining but praising.
Sometimes an older person can get caught up in talking only about their
aches and pains and problems.
There’s a place for praying for one another and lifting up one another’s
needs.
But do we ever make a point of praising God when we talk to people?
:13 Let them be confounded and consumed …
confounded – buwsh – to
put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed
This is the same word and same idea expressed in the previous Psalm, but translated
“ashamed”:
(Psa 70:2 KJV) Let them be ashamed
and confounded that seek after my
soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Which was also use in Psalm 40:
(Psa 40:14 KJV) Let them be ashamed
and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be
driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
:14-24 Trusting in God
:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
David was looking forward, not backward.
Lot’s wife had a problem because she looked back.
David is looking forward.
Illustration
“On Winston Churchill’s seventy-fifth birthday, a photographer said, ‘I
hope sir, that I will shoot your picture on your hundredth birthday.’ Churchill
answered: ‘I don’t see why not, young man. You look reasonably fit and
healthy’.”
-- William Manchester, The Last Lion:
Visions of Glory
:16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD
John Wesley –
Complained that he was sleeping too late when he was in his eighties,
sleeping until 4:30 a.m., complained
that he could only preach twice a day. He learned 10 new languages after the
age of sixty.
:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared
thy wondrous works.
taught – lamad – (Piel) to
teach
Lesson
What has God taught you lately?
David has been taught by God from his youth. David is old, but is still
being taught by God.
Are you still being taught by God?
We go through periods where we seem to stop learning. We know all the
stories. We know all the Bible verses. We don’t think there’s anything new to
learn.
There is so much more to learn about the Lord.
Not so much things that are “new”, but things that are deeper. Having a
fresh and deeper understanding of things that are old.
:18 forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation
showed – nagad – (Hiphil)
to tell, declare; to tell, announce, report; to declare, make known, expound;
to inform of; to publish, declare, proclaim; to avow, acknowledge, confess
Lesson
Teach the next generation
David wants to teach the next generation about God’s power.
The Levites were supposed to serve the congregation from the ages of 30-50.
When you got to fifty, you stepped into a different role to take those that
were 25 years old and mentor them to serve in the ministry.
Jesus’ ministry wasn’t just one of speaking to the large crowds. He had his
twelve disciples around him. He had the inner three that spent the most time
with Him. He poured His life into them.
Paul too was constantly discipling others around him.
(Acts 20:4 KJV) And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of
Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe,
and Timotheus; and of Asia,
Tychicus and Trophimus.
Just about wherever he went, Paul was taking men with him,
training them to be the next generation of disciples.
Paul wrote to Timothy to continue this practice,
(2 Tim 2:2 KJV) And the things that thou hast heard of me among
many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also.
:20 Thou …shalt quicken me again
David is talking about resurrection
:22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery
David was expecting to play on his instruments in heaven, with his
resurrected body.
:24 for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame
confounded – buwsh – to
put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed
David has made a request in this psalm:
(Psa 71:13 KJV) Let them be confounded and consumed that are
adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that
seek my hurt.
Now David says that God has done this
Psalm 72 - The Just King
A Psalm for Solomon.
Some translations say “of Solomon”
It certainly describes the reign of Solomon.
It also describes the reign of Jesus when He comes back.
:1 Prayer for the king
:2-17 Just, Good, Praised
:2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with
judgment.
judge – diyn – to judge,
contend, plead; to act as judge, minister judgment
righteousness – tsedeq –
justice, rightness, righteousness; what is right or just or normal, rightness,
justness (of weights and measures)
judgment – mishpat –
judgment, justice, ordinance; right, rectitude (attributes of God or man); proper,
fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Solomon would be known as a wise judge.
You know the story of Solomon, the baby, and the two prostitutes. When
Solomon commanded that the baby be cut in two, the true mother cried out and
begged for the baby’s life.
There’s another story about Solomon, not found in the Bible…
The Wisdom of Solomon
Two women came before wise King Solomon, dragging between them a young man
in a three-piece suit. “This young CPA agreed to marry my daughter,” said one.
“No! He agreed to marry MY daughter,” said the other. And so they haggled
before the King, until he called for silence. “Bring me my biggest sword,” said
Solomon,” and I shall hew the young accountant in half. Each of you shall
receive a half.” “Sounds good to me,” said the first lady. But the other woman
said, “Oh Sire, do not spill innocent blood. Let the other woman’s daughter
marry him.” The wise king did not hesitate a moment. “The accountant must marry
the first lady’s daughter,” he proclaimed. “But she was willing to hew him in
two!” exclaimed the king’s court. “Indeed,” said wise King Solomon. “That shows
she is the TRUE mother-in-law.”
:6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass
A good ruler is refreshing for the people.
:7 …so long as the moon endureth.
Jesus will reign for 1,000 years.
:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the
ends of the earth.
This is talking first of Solomon’s reign.
From the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea.
From the Euphrates River
around the world.
It’s talking ultimately about Jesus’ reign (not about us taking
dominion)
(Dan 2:45
KJV) Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain
without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the
silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come
to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof
sure.
The stone is cut “without hands”. It’s God’s work. It’s Jesus.
:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings
of Sheba and
Seba shall offer gifts.
Solomon sent ships to Tarshish (possibly located in southern Spain).
(2 Chr 9:21 KJV) For the king's ships went to
Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of
Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
The Queen of Sheba visited Solomon (Sheba
may have been in present day Yemen,
in southwestern Arabia)
(1 Ki 10:1-2 KJV) And when the queen of Sheba
heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove
him with hard questions. {2} And she came to Jerusalem with a very
great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious
stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was
in her heart.
(1 Ki 10:10 KJV) And she gave the king an hundred and
twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones:
there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba
gave to king Solomon.
:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall
their blood be in his sight.
God’s idea of a “good king” was one who would treat all people fairly and
not just those who were wealthy.
Lesson
Right decisions
A good king makes just, right decisions. Part of a king’s job was to be a
judge, sort of a Supreme Court.
God had some rules for those who would judge others:
(Deu 1:16-17 KJV) And I charged your judges at that time, saying,
Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man
and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. {17} Ye shall not respect
persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall
not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that
is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
(Deu 16:18-20 KJV) Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all
thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they
shall judge the people with just judgment. {19} Thou shalt not wrest judgment;
thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the
eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. {20} That which is
altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land
which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
A king or judge wasn’t supposed to be influenced by who gave him the
biggest bribe.
Today we are concerned about politicians and special interest groups.
We too need to be careful that we don’t make decisions based on the wrong
motives:
(James 2:1-9 NLT) My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim
that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people
more than others? {2} For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting
dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is
poor and dressed in shabby clothes. {3} If you give special attention and a
good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand
over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, {4} doesn't this
discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives? {5} Listen to me,
dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich
in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the kingdom God promised to
those who love him? {6} And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who
oppress you and drag you into court? {7} Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus
Christ, whose noble name you bear? {8} Yes indeed, it is good when you truly
obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor
as yourself." {9} But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are
committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law.
This doesn’t mean we can’t ever do anything nice for
someone we like. But it means that we need to be making decisions based on
what’s right, not what pleases other people.
:17 and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
This may apply to Solomon, but it also applies to Jesus.
:18-20 Doxology
:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be
filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The Psalms are divided into books:
Book I: Ps. 1-41
Book II: Ps. 42-72
Book III: Ps. 73-89
Book IV: Ps. 90-106
Book V: Ps. 107-150
Each “Book” ends with a “doxology” of some kind, praise to God.
:20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
This is actually not all the songs that David wrote. There will be 18 more
Psalms that have David’s name on them. It may be that this phrase was put on an
early collection of David’s songs, and the rest were added later.
Book III
Eleven of the 17 psalms in this section are attributed to Asaph (Pss.
73-83), one to David (Ps. 86), three to the sons of Korah (Pss. 84-85; 87), one
to Heman (Ps. 88), and another to Ethan (Ps. 89). Asaph, Heman, and Ethan were
Levite musicians in David’s day (1 Chron. 15:17,
19).[1]
Psalm 73 When Life is Unfair
A Psalm of Asaph.
Asaph was one of David’s worship leaders. It might be written by Asaph or a
descendant of Asaph.
:1-14 The Prosperity of the Wicked
:1 Truly God is good to Israel,
even to such as are of a clean heart.
clean – bar – pure, clear,
sincere; clean, empty
:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
This is simply how it looks to the Psalmist. We often make the same mistake
thinking this as well, that others don’t have as many problems as we do.
The truth is that all men have troubles.
Sometimes we get to thinking that everyone else’ troubles seem easier than
our own.
Illustration
“The Cross Room”
A young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out he dropped to his
knees in prayer. “Lord, I can’t go on,” he said. “I have too heavy a cross to
bear.” The Lord replied, “My son, if you can’t bear its weight, just place your
cross inside this room. Then open that other door and pick out any cross you
wish.” The young man was filled with relief. “Thank you Lord,” he sighed, and
he did what he was told. Upon entering the other door, he saw many other
crosses, some so large the tops weren’t even visible. Then he spotted a tiny
cross leaning against the far wall. “I’d like that one Lord,” he whispered. And
the Lord replied, “My son, that is the cross you just brought in.”
:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them
as a garment.
As Christians, we are learning that pride isn’t a good thing.
Yet the wicked are proud, they flaunt it, and they prosper because of it.
:7 they have more than heart could wish.
Actually, even the wealthy don’t have “enough”
(Prov 27:20 KJV) Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes
of man are never satisfied.
It’s been said that the difference between the man with 6 million dollars
and the man with 6 children is that the man with 6 million dollars wants more.
:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung
out to them.
(Psa 73:10 NLT) And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
:11 And they say, How doth God know?
They think that God doesn’t see what they’re doing or that God doesn’t
care.
:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
The Psalmist thinks he’s tried to live a good life for nothing.
:15-20 Understanding their end
:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
He was mixed up until he went to church.
Lesson
The importance of church
There are a lot of reasons why it’s important to be involved at church, but
one of them has to do with keeping perspective.
We get perspective by being in God’s presence in worship. Isaiah got perspective before God’s Throne.
(Isa 6:1-8 NLT) In the year
King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the
train of his robe filled the Temple. {2} Hovering around
him were mighty seraphim, each with six wings. With two wings they covered
their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with the remaining two they
flew. {3} In a great chorus they sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD
Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!" {4} The glorious
singing shook the Temple
to its foundations, and the entire sanctuary was filled with smoke. {5} Then I
said, "My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a
sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!" {6} Then one of
the seraphim flew over to the altar, and he picked up a burning coal with a
pair of tongs. {7} He touched my lips with it and said, "See, this coal
has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are
forgiven." {8} Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a
messenger to my people? Who will go for us?" And I said, "Lord, I'll
go! Send me."
We get perspective by being around others who can encourage us.
(Heb 10:24-25 NLT) Think of ways to encourage one another to
outbursts of love and good deeds. {25} And let us not neglect our meeting together,
as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the
day of his coming back again is drawing near.
(Heb 3:12-14 NLT) Be careful then, dear friends. Make sure that
your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living
God. {13} You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called
"today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened
against God. {14} For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as
firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
(Prov 27:17 KJV) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the
countenance of his friend.
Lesson
God’s perspective
Paul talked about the importance of God’s perspective.
(1 Cor 15:30-33 NLT) And why should we ourselves be
continually risking our lives, facing death hour by hour? {31} For I swear,
dear friends, I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what the
Lord Jesus Christ has done in you. {32} And what value was there in fighting
wild beasts--those men of Ephesus--if
there will be no resurrection from the dead? If there is no resurrection,
"Let's feast and get drunk, for tomorrow we die!" {33} Don't be
fooled by those who say such things, for "bad company corrupts good
character."
Because there is life after death, we need to keep pressing on for the
prize.
:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt
despise their image.
The wicked are living in a type of fantasy. One day we’re all going to wake
up and the fantasy will be over.
Disneyland is a wonderful place, but it’s a place
filled with fantasy. Cartoon characters walk around and make excite the kids. But
when it’s break time, they go back stage, take off their heads, and have a
smoke.
The lives of people who are living in wickedness is just a fantasy.
Receive Jesus. Come out of the fantasy and come back to reality.
:21-28 I will trust God
:23-24 …Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to
glory.
Great promises:
God’s presence.
God’s hand on us.
God’s guidance.
God’s future - glory
:28 I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Lesson
Just trust Him.
Be careful about having your eyes on what is happening to others.
(John 21:15-22 KJV) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon
Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
We sometimes think Jesus was asking Peter if Peter loved
Jesus more than the other disciples. But I wonder if Jesus wasn’t asking Peter
if Peter loved Jesus more than fishing. Peter it seemed had walked away from
the ministry and had gone back to fishing when Jesus showed up.
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He
saith unto him, Feed my lambs. {16} He saith to him again the second time,
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest
that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. {17} He saith unto him the
third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he
said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou
knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed
my sheep.
It might be that Peter was grieved that Jesus had to ask
him three times whether or not Peter loved Jesus. It may be that Peter has
remembered how he had denied Jesus three times and so Jesus is asking him three
times if he loves Him.
I don’t think Jesus is trying to make Peter feel bad. I
think this is a demonstration of grace. Jesus isn’t finished with Peter. Even
though Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus isn’t throwing Peter away. He’s
bringing Peter back.
{18} Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou
girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be
old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry
thee whither thou wouldest not. {19} This spake he, signifying by what death he
should glorify God.
This wasn’t exactly a sweet thing to tell Peter. Jesus is
telling Peter that Peter will go through some difficult times ahead.
And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. {20}
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which
also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth
thee? {21} Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
If Peter is going to have to suffer and die for Jesus, he
wants to know what John is going to have to do.
{22} Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come,
what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Jesus said Peter just needed to follow Jesus.