Category: Bible Journey

Psalms 21-30: Different Types of Psalms

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(28) What is David doing in v1-2? How might you use these verses in your trials?

What trial is David facing according to v3-5?  What trials are you facing?

How does the psalm change in v6-9?  Have you experienced this change in your prayers?

(23) Why do you think this psalm is so popular?

How does it specifically encourage you right now?

(30) What is David doing in this psalm?

For what recent event in your own life could you use this psalm as your own prayer?

(29) For what does David praise the Lord in this psalm?

How might this psalm help you to praise the Lord?

(22) How does this psalm point to Jesus (see especially v1, 16, 18)?

How might it have helped Jesus?  How might it help you?

(21-30) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?

Reflections on Psalms 16-20

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • My portion – David says that God is his portion and inheritance (16:5-6). God is the giver of every good thing (16:2).  God gives joy and pleasure in his presence (16:11).  How have you experienced God this way?
  • Revelation – God reveals himself in his creation and through his Word (Psalm 19). How have you seen God’s glory in his creation?  How has God’s Word revived you, made you wise, brought you joy, and enlightened your eyes?

Reflections on Psalms 11-15

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • Wicked versus Righteous – The wicked oppose the righteous (11:2), lie and boast (12:2-3), plunder the poor (12:5), and do corrupt abominable deeds as they deny God exists (14:1). Meanwhile the righteous walk blamelessly, speak the truth, don’t slander others, don’t do evil to others, are faithful to his word, and just towards others (15).  Which characteristics describe you?
  • How long? – Have you ever felt like David in Psalm 13:1-4? How might verses 5-6 help?

Psalms 11-20: Responding to God’s Revelation

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(19) In what two ways does God reveal himself to us?

(12, 14) How do these two psalms describe the wicked?

From that description, how would you describe their response to God’s revelation of himself in Psalm 19?

(11-20) How do the following passages describe the righteous?

13:1-4 –

15:1-5 –

16:2, 5-6, 11 –

20:6-7 –

11:7, 17:5 –

How does their description in each of the passages above relate to God’s revelation of himself in Psalm 19?

How well do these descriptions describe you?  In what ways do you need to grow?

(16) How do v9-11 point to Jesus (see Acts 2:24-32)?

(1-10) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?

Reflections on Psalms 6-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • Great God – God is full of glory and majesty (8:1-2). He created this incredible world (8:3).  He is enthroned as king forever (9:7, 10:16).  Ponder the great God you serve, and bow down in worship.
  • Give thanks – Twice David gives thanks to the Lord (7:17, 9:1) as he recounts God’s wonderful deeds (9:2). Recount God’s wonderful deeds in your life, and give thanks to him!

Reflections on Psalms 1-5

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • The World versus the Word – What advice, lifestyle, and attitudes come from the world? What advice, lifestyle, and attitudes come from the Word?  How is each influencing you?  Which are you more closely following?
  • God’s Help – God is our Shield (3:3), our Sustainer (3:5), our Savior (3:8), and our Safety (4:8). How do you need God to be these things for you today?

Psalms 1-10: Two Ways To Live

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) What two ways to live are presented in this psalm?

What are the results of each way?

(2-10) How do these psalms describe the righteous?  What are they like?  What do they do?

How well does this description describe you?  What changes do you need to make in your life?

How does God respond to the righteous?

When have you seen God act toward you in one of those ways?

(2-10) How do the psalms describe the wicked?  What are they like?  What do they do?

How does God respond to the wicked?  Does anything surprise you?

In light of these psalms, how do you think we should respond when we see the actions of the wicked?  How should we not respond?

(2) Since we all sin, how can any of us be counted among the righteous (v12, see also Hebrews 6:17-20)?

(1-10) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?

Reflections on II Samuel 23-24

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today we see one final story about David.  Note:

  • Sin and consequences – Chapter 24 repeats the same themes of chapters 11-12. David sins.  He confesses his sin.  Yet there are still consequences – consequences that hurt not only him but the entire nation.  Sin always has consequences.  Are you guarding your life against temptation?  Seek the Lord’s help!
  • Sacrifice – David offers a sacrifice to the Lord to end the punishment for his sin. David’s son Solomon will later build the temple on the exact spot of David’s sacrifice, and more sacrifices will be made to cover sin.  Finally, Jesus will come to offer himself as the final sacrifice for sin.  Praise the Lord for Jesus who paid for all of our sins!

Reflections on II Samuel 20-22

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today’s passage tells a few more stories about David, and records one of his songs.  Consider:

  • Sin and consequences – Sheba rebels and must face the consequences. Saul sinned, and his descendants faced the consequences.  When you are tempted to sin, remember that there are consequences for you and the people around you.
  • God as our refuge – David praises the Lord for helping him against his enemies. He calls God not only his refuge, but also his rock, fortress, deliver, shield, stronghold, and savior.  When has God been these things to you?  In what situation do you need him to be these things to you now?

II Samuel 20-24: Sin and Salvation

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(20) Summarize this chapter.

What was Sheba’s sin, and what were the consequences?

How would you describe Joab from this chapter and earlier chapters?

(21) What was Saul’s sin?  What were the consequences?  What was their solution?

What does their solution tell you about sin?  How might their solution point to Jesus?

Do you think their solution was God’s will?

(21, 23) What do 21:15-22 and 23:8-39 tell you about David’s success in battle and as king?

What spiritual principle is there for us to recognize?

(22-23) According to David, what was the ultimate source of his success as king?  How is David saved from his enemies?

Which verses in chapter 22 especially speak to you?

How might 23:1-7 point to Jesus?

(24) What was David’s sin?  What were the consequences?  Does that seem fair?  Can you think of contemporary examples?

How might this principle relate to Adam and Jesus?

How would you further describe Joab from this chapter?

How do David’s last actions in the book point to Jesus?