Wednesday
Evening Bible Study
March 17, 2004
Psalm 109
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
This is a Psalm that has Messianic prophecies woven throughout it.
Yet when we read it, you might struggle with some of the content. This is
one of the “imprecatory” psalms, a song calling for judgment on enemies. We
don’t often think of Jesus in that way. Instead we think of Jesus on the cross
saying, “Father, forgive”.
Yet there is an aspect of what Jesus did for us that involves judgment. Jesus
said,
(John 3:18 KJV) He that believeth on him is not
condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
(Heb 10:28-31 KJV) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy
under two or three witnesses: {29} Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,
shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and
hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy
thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? {30} For we know him
that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
And again, The Lord shall judge his people. {31} It is a fearful thing to fall
into the hands of the living God.
It was bad enough to reject the Law of Moses. Yet those who reject what God
did for them as Jesus died on the cross will also face a severe judgment.
:1-5 False accusers
:2 they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
During His trials, false witnesses were brought to testify (Mat. 26:59-61)
:3 with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
Jesus referred to this when He talked about how the world hated Him and
would hate us as well (John 15:25)
:6-20 Curse on the betrayer
:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
It could be that this is similar to what Paul talked about in his judgment
against the man in Corinth:
(1 Cor
5:1-5 KJV) It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and
such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should
have his father's wife.
This fellow was sleeping with his step mom.
{2} And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that
hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
The Corinthians were patting themselves on the back for being so
“tolerant”. Instead they needed to deal with the sin.
{3} For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have
judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this
deed, {4} In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together,
and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, {5} To deliver such an
one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved
in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Paul prayed that this man would be turned over to Satan. Perhaps this might
mean that God would remove His protection from the man, and that he would be
ravaged by Satan with the hope that his difficulties would bring him to
repentance.
:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles used this verse as a reason
to find a replacement for Judas.
(Acts 1:20 KJV) For it is written in the book of
Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his
bishopric let another take.
The first phrase “Let his habitation be desolate” comes from Psalm 69:25.
Psalm 69 is another one of David’s prophetic psalms that talks about the
crucifixion.
The second phrase, “his bishopric let another take” comes from our Psalm.
Somehow, the apostles saw this section of Scripture being prophetic of
Judas.
:11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath
extortioner – nashah –a creditor. He’s asking for the guy’s
car to be repossessed.
:20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD
How did the apostles know that this Psalm applied to Judas?
Jesus referred to Judas as the “son of perdition”
(John 17:12 KJV) While I was with them in the world,
I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of
them is lost, but the son of perdition;
that the scripture might be fulfilled.
perdition – apoleia – destroying, utter destruction; the
destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell
Sounds a bit like a “cursed” man to me.
I wonder if after Jesus’ death, as the apostles realized that Judas was the
“son of perdition”, God showed them the connection with this Psalm.
Though it might be hard for us to think of Jesus as putting this kind of a
curse on Judas, you can see the fulfillment of it in Judas. In a sense, David’s
curse found it’s place on Judas.
:21-25 Help me
:24 My knees are weak through fasting
Think of Jesus in the Garden.
:25 when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
(Mat 27:39 KJV) And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their
heads,
:26-31 I will praise
:31 to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Lesson
Judgment or mercy
It can sound contradictory as if David is saying, “Have mercy on me, but
don’t have mercy on this fellow I don’t like”. Earlier David had written:
(Psa 109:12 KJV) Let there be none to extend mercy unto him:
neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
Yet the person David is talking about is a person who is not showing mercy
while David was a merciful person.
(Psa 109:5 KJV) And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred
for my love.
Each person faces a choice.
You can be a person who is unmerciful and find yourself in a fight with
God.
(Isa 45:9 KJV) Woe unto
him that striveth with his Maker!
You can be a person who runs to God for mercy and takes that mercy and
shows it to others.
(Prov 28:13 KJV) He
that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth
and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
(Mat 5:7 KJV) Blessed are the merciful: for they
shall obtain mercy.
(Mat 7:2 NIV) For in the same way you judge
others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured
to you.
You can either fight against God and face judgment on your sin, or run to
God and find mercy.
Psalm 110
We looked at this last Sunday morning.
Psalm 111 – Praise God’s Works
This is an “acrostic” psalm. The first line begins with the letter “aleph”
(like our “a”), and then each succeeding line begins with the next letter of
the alphabet.
This was to help the people learn the psalm, a “teaching psalm”, a way to
commit it to memory.
The “why” in worship.
:1 I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the
upright
whole heart – enthusiastic worship
in the assembly – worship with others
:2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have
pleasure therein.
works – ma‘aseh – deed, work
great – gadowl – great
sought out – darash – to resort to, seek, seek with care,
enquire, require
them that have pleasure – chephets –
delight, pleasure
(Psa 111:2 NLT) How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who
delight in him should ponder them.
(Psa 111:2 NASB) Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied
by all who delight in them.
Lesson
Think of what God has done
It ought to cause us to give Him praise.
If you’re having a hard time praising God, look at the things He’s done.
Do you notice the things that God has done?
Do you see God’s hand in creation around you?
Do you see God’s hand in your relationships, in God giving
you the treasures in the people around you?
Do you see God’s hand in your life, working all things
together to the good?
Do you see God’s hand at the cross, demonstrating love
like no other?
:5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him
meat – tereph – prey, food, leaf
Lesson
He feeds those that fear Him
Israel was
complaining about the lack of food in the wilderness. God promised them food in
the morning.
(Exo 16:14-21 KJV) And when the dew that
lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small
round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. {15} And when the
children of Israel
saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist
not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD
hath given you to eat.
It think that sometimes we don’t know quite what to make
of God’s Word (manna = “what is it?”)
{16} This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it
every man according to his eating, an omer for every
man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which
are in his tents. {17} And the children of Israel
did so, and gathered, some more, some less. {18} And when they did mete it with
an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and
he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his
eating.
Everybody gathered their own food. Some gathered a lot,
others gathered a little, but it was enough for each.
{19} And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. {20}
Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it
until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
Manna loses it’s freshness. It’s got a one day expiration
date.
{21} And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his
eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
You have to get it each morning. Don’t wait too long to
find it.
When Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus said,
(Mat 4:4 KJV) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God.
Feeding on God’s Word ought to be more important than the
food we eat.
:7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment
Perhaps this is talking about what God wrote with His finger – the Ten
Commandments.
:9 He sent redemption unto his people
He purchased Israel
from Egypt with
the blood of lambs.
He’s purchased us from sin with the blood of His lamb.
:9 holy and reverend is his name.
Don’t call me “reverend”. God is the only one who is reverend.
Jesus said,
(Mat 23:8-11 KJV) But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your
Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. {9} And call no man your father
upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. {10} Neither be ye
called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. {11} But he that is
greatest among you shall be your servant.
Speaking of rabbis, that reminds me …
Illustration
It was Chanukah and the Tiny Village
was in fear of not having any latkes because they had run out of flour. Rudi,
the Rabbi was called upon to help solve the problem. He said, “Don’t worry. You
can substitute matzo meal for the flour and the latkes will be just as
delicious!” Sheila looks to her husband and says, “Morty...you
think it’ll work?” “Of course! As everybody knows...Rudolph, the Reb, knows grain, dear!””
:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
This idea is also found in Job 28:28; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33.
Lesson
What does it mean to “fear the
Lord”?
I’ve heard it said that it means to “be afraid of disappointing Him”.
I like that. To be so in love with God that we’re afraid to do anything
that would disappoint Him.
Jesus said,
(John 14:15 KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
But the word “fear” does mean “fear”.
fear – yir’ah
– fear, terror, fearing
It’s a strange combination to have “fear” of someone you love, and of
someone who loves you, but there is an aspect of this to our relationship with
God.
Jesus said,
(Mat 10:28 KJV) And fear not them which kill the
body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to
destroy both soul and body in hell.
When John saw a glimpse of Jesus in His resurrected state,
(Rev 1:17 KJV) And when I saw
him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying
unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
He fainted away. And Jesus told him not to be afraid.
Our fear of the Lord is this strange mixture of love, friendship, and
terror.
It’s like looking in the rearview mirror and seeing a police car behind
you. What’s the first thing you do? Check your speedometer?
Illustration
A police officer had a perfect hiding place for watching
for speeders. But one day, everyone was under the speed limit, the officer
found the problem: a 10 year old boy was standing on the side of the road with
a huge hand painted sign which said “RADAR TRAP AHEAD.” A little more
investigative work led the officer to the boy’s accomplice, another boy about
100 yards beyond the radar trap with a sign reading “TIPS” and a bucket at his
feet, full of change.
And yet this policeman is our best friend, the lover of our soul. Strange
stuff.
Lesson
It’s smart to obey God
When we have a proper fear of the Lord, it results in our obeying Him.
Psalm 112 The blessings of fearing the Lord
:1 Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD
blessed – ‘esher
– happiness, blessedness; happy
:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth
Fearing the Lord affects your family.
It affects your kids. You don’t have to be afraid of what will happen with
your kids.
:3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house
Fearing the Lord affects your finances.
He takes care of you financially
(Phil 4:19 KJV) But my God shall supply all your
need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Written to the Philippians who were following the Lord, who were supporting
Paul’s ministry.
:4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness
A man who fears the Lord has light in dark times.
A man who fears the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
:5 A good man showeth favour, and lendeth:
A man who fears the Lord will learn to be generous.
When we are generous to others, God is generous to us.
(Prov 11:25 NIV) A generous man
will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
(2 Cor 9:6 KJV) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
:5 he will guide his affairs with discretion.
discretion – mishpat – judgment, justice, ordinance; proper,
fitting, plan
(Psa 112:5 NLT) All goes well for those who are generous, who lend
freely and conduct their business fairly.
Lesson
Fear and wisdom
When we fear the Lord, we will be careful to be wise in our business dealings. We will stay away from foolish
things.
Illustration
Seems that a year ago, some Boeing employees on the field decided to steal
a life raft from one of the 747s. They were successful in getting it out of the
plant and home. When they took it for a float on the Stilliguamish River,
they were quite surprised by a coast guard helicopter homing in on the
emergency locator that is activated when the raft is inflated. They are no
longer employed there.
:7-10 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings
A man who fears the Lord is not afraid of what’s ahead.
Fear God. Put God first. Jesus said,
(Mat 6:33
KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
If you get your relationship with God right, everything else falls into
place.
Psalm 113 The blessings of humility
The beginning of the “Hallel” songs (Ps. 113-118),
the “praise” songs.
These were sung at the Passover. The first two were sung before the meal
(Ps. 113,114), the last four were sung after the meal (Ps. 115-118).
After the Last Supper …
(Mark 14:26 KJV) And when they had sung an hymn, they
went out into the mount of Olives.
Jesus did this.
:3 From the rising of the sun …
All day long God should be praised.
:6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven
humbleth – shaphel – to be or become low, sink, be
humbled, be abased
He stoops down to our level.
David wrote,
(Psa 8:4 KJV) What is man,
that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Paul wrote,
(Phil 2:5-11 KJV) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: {6} Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: {7} But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of
a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: {8} And being found in fashion
as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross. {9} Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name
which is above every name: {10} That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; {11} And
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
We ought to learn from His humility.
We ought to be the same.
:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house
He takes the barren and turns them fruitful.
(Isa 54:1 KJV) Sing, O barren, thou that
didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not
travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children
of the married wife, saith the LORD.
The story of Hannah.
Hannah was a gal who was married to a fellow named Elkanah
(1Sam. 1). Elkanah
had TWO wives. Hannah was “barren” (she
couldn’t have children). The other gal, Peninnah, was a fertile Myrtle, she had kids left and
right. In those days, a woman was
considered nothing if she couldn’t have kids.
Peninnah never let Hannah forget that she was
barren. She rubbed it in all the time. Yet Hannah loved God and she cried out to God
for help.
(1 Sam 1:9-20 KJV) {9} So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the
priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. {10} And she was in
bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. {11} And she vowed
a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of
thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give
unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the
days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. {12} And it came
to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
{13} Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was
not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. {14} And Eli said unto
her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. {15} And
Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I
have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before
the LORD. {16} Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of
the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. {17} Then Eli
answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that
thou hast asked of him. {18} And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy
sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more
sad. {19} And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the
LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah
knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. {20} Wherefore it came to
pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a
son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
She cried to God and God heard her.
After she gave her child to the Lord, Hannah prayed,
(1 Sam 2:8 KJV) He raiseth
up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to
set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the
pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.
She knew that God had done it. God
had taken her from a place of humility and blessed her.
Lesson
God blesses humility
(James 4:10 KJV)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
He can take you from a place of barrenness and bless you.