Psalm 7:1-17

A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

O Lord my God, in Thee I have taken refuge;
Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me,

[2] Lest he tear my soul like a lion,
Dragging me away, while there is none to deliver.

[3] O Lord my God, if I have done this,
If there is injustice in my hands,

[4] If I have rewarded evil to my friend,
Or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary,

[5] Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it;
And let him trample my life down to the ground,
And lay my glory in the dust.

Selah.

[6] Arise, O Lord, in Thine anger;
Lift up Thyself against the rage of my adversaries,
And arouse Thyself for me; Thou hast appointed judgment.

[7] And let the assembly of the peoples encompass Thee;
And over them return Thou on high.

[8] The Lord judges the peoples;
Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.

[9] O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous;
For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds.

[10] My shield is with God,
Who saves the upright in heart.

[11] God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.

[12] If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.

[13] He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.
[14] Behold, he travails with wickedness,
And he conceives mischief, and brings forth falsehood.

[15] He has dug a pit and hollowed it out,
And has fallen into the hole which he made.

[16] His mischief will return upon his own head,
And his violence will descend upon his own pate.

[17] I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.


Psalm 7 - Psalm 7:1-17

Open It

1. When was a time you saw justice served?
* 2. What fears have you heard people express?
3. When have you seen our justice system fail?

Explore It

* 4. What fears inspired David to write this psalm? (7:1-2)
5. What familiar image did David, as a former shepherd, use to describe his fears? (7:1-2)
6. What qualified David to plead with God for deliverance? (7:3-5)
7. Under what conditions was David willing to forgo God’s protection? (7:3-5)
8. To what character traits of God did David appeal? (7:6-11)
9. How did David want to be judged by God? (7:8)
10. According to the psalm writer, how does God demonstrate His righteousness? (7:9-11)
* 11. How did David demonstrate his confidence in God? (7:10-13)
12. What image did David use to describe how God will express His wrath against the wicked? (7:11-13)
13. What general principle of life did David use to comfort himself? (7:14-16)
14. What are the consequences of evil? (7:14-16)
* 15. What motivated David to praise God? (7:17)

Get It

16. What is unique about God’s character that enables Him to be a perfect judge?
17. What are some of your fears?
18. How do you usually deal with your fears?
* 19. In what ways is David a good example for us in handling fear?
20. What does this passage teach you about the character of God?
* 21. How does God’s character encourage you to face the fears and problems in your life?
22. How can you demonstrate your confidence in God’s deliverance?
23. What do you think are some of the consequences of disobedience to God?
24. What motivates you to offer praise to the Lord?

Apply It

* 25. What specific steps could you take in the next few days to trust God with your fears?
26. What could you do to remind yourself of God’s righteousness this week?
27. Who is another person you could encourage with what you have learned in this lesson?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM

With God as my defender
Vindicated according to my righteousness and integrity
Singing praises and thanking God according to his righteousness

Psalm 6:1-10

For the choir director; with stringed instruments, upon an eight-stringed lyre.
A Psalm of David.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Thine anger,
Nor chasten me in Thy wrath.

[2] Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away;
Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed.

[3] And my soul is greatly dismayed;
But Thou, O Lord-- how long?

[4] Return, O Lord, rescue my soul;
Save me because of Thy lovingkindness.

[5] For there is no mention of Thee in death;
In Sheol who will give Thee thanks?

[6] I am weary with my sighing;
Every night I make my bed swim,
I dissolve my couch with my tears.

[7] My eye has wasted away with grief;
It has become old because of all my adversaries.

[8] Depart from me, all you who do iniquity,
For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

[9] The Lord has heard my supplication,
The Lord receives my prayer.

[10] All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly dismayed;
They shall turn back, they shall suddenly be ashamed.

Psalm 6 - Psalm 6:1-10

Open It

1. What emotions do you feel when you are sick with the flu?
* 2. How do most people deal with sickness?
3. When have you felt the Lord’s presence during a time of illness or sorrow?

Explore It

4. What request opens this psalm? (6:1)
5. What did the psalm writer think was the reason for his illness? (6:1)
6. How does the psalm writer’s response to his crisis unify this poem? (6:1-10)
* 7. What feelings did the psalm writer have? (6:1-10)
8. Why did the psalm writer believe that the Lord would be willing to save him? (6:4)
* 9. What motivated the psalm writer to ask the Lord for mercy? (6:5)
10. What did the psalm writer believe would happen to him if the Lord did not show him mercy? (6:5)
11. According to the psalm writer, what would God forfeit if He were not merciful? (6:5)
12. How depressed was the psalm writer? (6:6-7)
13. What encouraged the psalm writer? (6:8-9)
14. How is the psalm writer protected from his enemies? (6:8)
15. What expression of confidence concludes this prayer? (6:8-10)
* 16. What is the Lord’s response to the psalm writer’s cries for mercy? (6:9)
17. How would the psalm writer’s enemies react to his restoration? (6:10)

Get It

18. When have you ever felt like the writer of this psalm?
19. How do you usually deal with feelings of fear, sadness, or depression?
20. What motivates you to cry out to the Lord?
* 21. How do you think the Lord wants you to deal with life’s difficulties?
22. In what specific ways should we follow the psalm writer’s example?
23. What does this poem reveal about the psalm writer’s relationship with the Lord?
24. How would you like your relationship with God to be similar to the psalm writer’s?
25. How would you describe the psalm writer’s prayer in this passage?
* 26. What does this psalm teach us about prayer?
27. What does this psalm teach us about dealing with depression?
28. How has the Lord shown His love for you?
29. What gift of praise can you offer the Lord?

Apply It

30. What feelings or problems do you want to trust the Lord with today?
* 31. What steps could you take to spend more time telling God your honest thoughts or feelings?
32. How can you demonstrate your thankfulness to the Lord for His love for you?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM

Healed by the LORD
Saved because of God’s lovingkindness
Thanking God publicly
With enemies that are dismayed

Psalm 5:1-12

For the choir director; for flute accompaniment.
A Psalm of David.

Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my groaning.

[2] Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,
For to Thee do I pray.

[3] In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch.

[4] For Thou art not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with Thee.

[5] The boastful shall not stand before Thine eyes;
Thou dost hate all who do iniquity.

[6] Thou dost destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

[7] But as for me, by Thine abundant lovingkindness I will enter Thy house,
At Thy holy temple I will bow in reverence for Thee.

[8] O Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness because of my foes;
Make Thy way straight before me.

[9] There is nothing reliable in what they say;
Their inward part is destruction itself;
Their throat is an open grave;
They flatter with their tongue.

[10] Hold them guilty, O God;
By their own devices let them fall!
In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out,
For they are rebellious against Thee.

[11] But let all who take refuge in Thee be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy;
And mayest Thou shelter them,
That those who love Thy name may exult in Thee.

[12] For it is Thou who dost bless the righteous man, O Lord,
Thou dost surround him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5 - Psalm 5:1-12

Open It

* 1. Why do you think personal crises motivate people to pray more?
2. When has an emergency or personal problem caused you to pray?

Explore It

3. What were the psalm writer’s main requests? (5:1-12)
4. How is the psalm writer’s main request repeated throughout the poem? (5:1-12)
5. When and how did David pray? (5:2-3)
6. How are wicked people limited? (5:4-5)
7. To what characteristics of God did the psalm writer appeal? (5:4-12)
8. How did David describe wicked people? (5:5)
* 9. What attitude did David have in presenting his request to the Lord? (5:7)
10. How did David describe his enemies? (5:9-10)
11. How did David trust God to judge the wicked, rather than seeking revenge himself? (5:10)
* 12. How did David deal with the offenses against him? (5:9-10)
13. What did David ask God to do? (5:10-12)
14. Whom did David include in his prayer? (5:11)
15. Whom does the Lord protect and bless? (5:11-12)
* 16. What attitude should believers have and why? (5:11-12)
17. How did David use the image of a shield to describe what God does for the righteous? (5:12)
18. What does God do for the righteous? (5:12)

Get It

19. What many reasons do people have for praying?
20. What usually motivates people to pray?
21. In light of this passage, what attitude should we have when we pray?
22. How do you need to change your attitude toward prayer?
* 23. How are faith and prayer connected?
24. When has your faith been challenged or stretched?
25. What distracts you from praying?
* 26. What steps can you take to keep up a consistent habit of prayer?
27. What does this passage teach us about arrogance?
28. How can we guard against the sin of arrogance?
29. What have you learned about the character of God from this psalm?

Apply It

* 30. What is one step you can take in the next week to improve your prayer habits?
31. How could you publicly praise God for His protection over you?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Praying to the lord and watching for His answers.
Not sinning
Loved by the LORD
Preserved by God because of speaking the truth
Having a straight path before me
Glad in the LORD
Singing for joy
Surrounded with God’s favor as a shield

Psalm 4:1-8

For the choir director; on stringed instruments.
A Psalm of David.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
Thou hast relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

[2] O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?

Selah.

[3] But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The Lord hears when I call to Him.

[4] Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.

Selah.

[5] Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.

[6] Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"
Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord!

[7] Thou hast put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.

[8] In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety.


Psalm 4 - Psalm 4:1-8

Open It

* 1. If you were to write a poem about your relationship with God, what would you focus on?
2. What attributes of God’s have you thought about most in your life?

Explore It

3. How is the Lord described in this passage? (4:1)
4. From what did David need to be saved? (4:1)
5. What motivated David to write this psalm? (4:1-8)
* 6. What is the theme of this psalm? (4:1-8)
7. Why does David rebuke others in this poem? (4:2-3)
8. What assurance does this psalm offer? (4:3)
9. What weakness can draw people away from the Lord? (4:4)
* 10. What advice does David give to those who want to remain righteous? (4:4-5)
* 11. How did David’s relationship with the Lord affect his attitude? (4:7)
12. How did David describe his joy? (4:7)
13. How did David demonstrate his trust in the Lord? (4:8)
14. Where did David get his sense of security? (4:8)

Get It

15. How would you describe your relationship with the Lord at this time in your life?
16. How does your relationship with God affect your attitude?
* 17. What weakness or temptation threatens to draw you away from the Lord?
18. How does God want us to handle temptations?
* 19. What do you think you could do to strengthen your relationship with God?
20. What steps can we take to help each other overcome our weaknesses?
21. What does this psalm teach us about how to become righteous?
22. What is one way you can show your trust in the Lord?
23. What promise in this poem would you like to claim for yourself?

Apply It

* 24. What small steps could you take in the next week to strengthen your relationship with God?
25. What concrete action can you take to guard against a temptation in one area of weakness?
26. How can you encourage a friend in his or her relationship with God?


AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Finding relief from God in time of distress

Receiving God’s grace

Set apart for God’s glory

Heard by God.

Meditating in my heart.

Offering the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the Lord.

With gladness in my heart.

Dwelling in God’s safety/

Psalm 3:1-8

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.

[2] Many are saying of my soul, "There is no deliverance for him in God."

Selah.

[3] But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

[4] I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.

Selah.

[5] I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

[6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.

[7] Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked.

[8] Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Thy blessing be upon Thy people!

Selah.


Psalm 3 - Psalm 3:1-8

Open It

1. In what circumstances do you feel safe and secure?
2. What often threatens our sense of security?
* 3. What measures do people commonly take to protect themselves?

Explore It

* 4. What predicament prompted David to write this poem? (3:1-2)
5. How were David’s enemies intimidating him? (3:2)
6. Where did David get his hope? (3:3)
7. What image did David use to describe God’s protection? (3:3)
* 8. How did the Lord show His love for David? (3:3)
9. What is God like? (3:3)
10. How did David deal with his fears? (3:4)
11. How did God respond to David’s cries for help? (3:4)
12. How did David demonstrate his faith in God’s protection? (3:5)
13. Whom did David credit for his sense of security when he was surrounded by enemies? (3:5)
* 14. To what extent was David willing to trust the Lord? (3:6)
15. What action did David ask the Lord to take on his behalf? (3:7)
16. What expression of confidence concludes David’s prayer? (3:8)
17. What did David ask God to do? (3:8)

Get It

18. When have you ever felt you were in a hopeless situation?
19. How have you experienced God’s protection?
* 20. What does this psalm teach us about God’s protection of His loved ones?
21. What should we do when we feel intimidated by others or overwhelmed by our problems?
* 22. How can you follow David’s example in dealing with your own fears?
23. What action do you need the Lord to take on your behalf?
24. What expression of confidence can you offer in prayer to the Lord?

Apply It

* 25. What step can you take to entrust God with one of your fears?
26. How can you show your thankfulness to the Lord for His protection over you?


AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Having God surrounding me like a shield.

Having God as my glory and the lifter of my head.

Having God answer my prayers from His holy hill.

Laying down and sleeping.

Awakening because He has sustained me.

Not being fearful of a multitude of people surrounding me.

Experiencing His blessing on me.