Psalm 28:1-9
A Psalm of David.

To Thee, O Lord, I call;
My rock, do not be deaf to me,
Lest, if Thou be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
[2] Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to Thee for help,
When I lift up my hands toward Thy holy sanctuary.
[3] Do not drag me away with the wicked
And with those who work iniquity;
Who speak peace with their neighbors,
While evil is in their hearts.
[4] Requite them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices;
Requite them according to the deeds of their hands;
Repay them their recompense.
[5] Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
Nor the deeds of His hands,
He will tear them down and not build them up.

[6] Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
[7] The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
[8] The Lord is their strength,
And He is a saving defense to His anointed.
[9] Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.


Psalm 28:1-9

Open It

* 1. What is a hypocritical politician? Teacher? Journalist? Christian?
2. Under what circumstances is it easy to be hypocritical?
3. What hypocrisy do you see in the world today?

Explore It

4. What image did David use to refer to death and the grave? (28:1)
5. What did David believe would happen if the Lord did not answer his prayer? (28:1)
6. How did David refer to the Lord? (28:1, 7-9)
7. What is the main focus of David’s prayer in this psalm? (28:1-9)
8. What physical act of worship did David combine with his prayers? (28:2)
9. How did David tangibly demonstrate his worship to the Lord? (28:2, 7)
* 10. What hypocrisy did David see in the people around him? (28:3)
11. What request did David present to the Lord in this psalm? (28:3-5)
* 12. How are the wicked described? (28:3-5)
13. How did David want the Lord to deal with the wicked? (28:4)
14. What reason did David have to believe that the Lord would destroy the wicked? (28:5)
15. What motivated David to praise the Lord? (28:6-8)
16. What kind of relationship did David have with the Lord? (28:7-8)
* 17. What kind of relationship does God desire to have with His people? (28:8-9)

Get It

18. How does God view hypocrisy?
19. Why should we worship the Lord?
20. What motivates you to praise God?
21. How can you demonstrate your desire to worship the Lord?
22. How do you want to improve your relationship with God?
23. What kind of relationship should we have with our neighbors?
24. What hard feelings against another person do you struggle with?
* 25. If a Christian harbors malice toward another person, what should he or she do about it?
* 26. How can Christians guard against hypocrisy?

Apply It

27. What concrete action can you take this week to strengthen your relationship with God?
28. What injustice or difficult circumstance do you want to commit to the Lord in prayer?
* 29. What specific step can you take this week to guard against hypocrisy in your behavior at work? at home?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM ...

Blessed with the voice of my supplications heard by God.
Regarding the works of the LORD, and the operations of his hands.
Helped and trusting in the LORD, my strength and shield.
Rejoicing greatly singing praises to God.
Blessed, fed and lifted up for ever.

Psalm 27:1-14
A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
[2] When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
[3] Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

[4] One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to meditate in His temple.
[5] For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
[6] And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me;
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

[7] Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
[8] When Thou didst say, "Seek My face," my heart said to Thee, "Thy face, O Lord, I shall seek."
[9] Do not hide Thy face from me,
Do not turn Thy servant away in anger;
Thou hast been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
[10] For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

[11] Teach me Thy way, O Lord,
And lead me in a level path,
Because of my foes.
[12] Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
[13] I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
[14] Wait for the Lord;
Be strong, and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.


Psalm 27:1-14

Open It

1. How do you feel when you have to wait a long time for something you really want?
* 2. What are some events, people, or things that are worth waiting for?

Explore It

3. What did David mean when he said, “The Lord is my light”? (27:1)
* 4. Why was David able to trust God in the face of danger? (27:1-3, 5-6)
5. How was the king’s faith in the Lord challenged? (27:1-3, 12)
6. How is faith shown in this passage? (27:1-6, 10, 13)
7. What main attitude permeates this psalm? (27:1-14)
8. What dangers did the king face? (27:2-3,12)
* 9. How was God’s house a comfort to David? (27:4-5)
10. Where did David find safety and strength? (27:4-6)
11. How did David plan to respond when the Lord exalted him above his enemies? (27:6)
12. From what did David pray for deliverance? (27:7-12)
13. What did David’s own conscience encourage him to do? (27:8)
14. To what extent did David depend on the Lord? (27:9-10, 13-14)
15. What did David expect of his future and why? (27:13-14)
16. How did David conclude this prayer for deliverance? (27:13-14)
* 17. What gave David courage while he awaited God’s deliverance? (27:13-14)

Get It

18. When has your faith in the Lord been challenged?
19. When have difficult times strengthened your relationship with the Lord?
20. What role should faith play in our everyday lives?
* 21. How could you strengthen or renew your dependence on the Lord?
22. When have you found comfort or a renewed sense of security in church?
23. What dangers or problems are you facing?
24. How can you follow David’s example in handling your fears?
25. How can you plan to respond when God does answer your prayers?
26. What does it mean to “wait for the Lord”?
* 27. What action can you take to show your faith while you wait for the Lord to answer your prayers?

Apply It

28. What is one step you could take right now to renew your faith in the Lord?
* 29. About what concern do you need to continue praying, confident that God will answer in His own time and in His own way?


AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM ...

Not fearing because the LORD is my light.
Not fearing because the LORD is my salvation.
Not fearing because the LORD is the strength of my life.
With foes and enemies that stumble and fall.
Dwelling in the house of the LORD.
Beholding the beauty of the LORD.
Inquiring in his temple.
Confident that God will hide me in his pavilion in times of trouble.
Hidden by God in the secret of his tabernacle.
Set up upon a rock by God.
With my head lifted above my foes round about me.
Offering sacrifices of joy in God’s tabernacle.
Singing praising unto the LORD.
Seeking the Lord’s face.
Taken up by the LORD when all others forsake me.
Taught by God and led in a plain path.
Not being delivered over to the will of my enemies.
Waiting on the LORD.
Of good courage with a strengthen heart.

Psalm 26:1-12
A Psalm of David.

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity;
And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
[2] Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my mind and my heart.
[3] For Thy lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Thy truth.
[4] I do not sit with deceitful men,
Nor will I go with pretenders.
[5] I hate the assembly of evildoers,
And I will not sit with the wicked.
[6] I shall wash my hands in innocence,
And I will go about Thine altar, O Lord,
[7] That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And declare all Thy wonders.

[8] O Lord, I love the habitation of Thy house,
And the place where Thy glory dwells.
[9] Do not take my soul away along with sinners,
Nor my life with men of bloodshed,
[10] In whose hands is a wicked scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
[11] But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
Redeem me, and be gracious to me.
[12] My foot stands on a level place;
In the congregations I shall bless the Lord.

Psalm 26:1-12

Open It

* 1. What keeps you coming back to your local church?
2. Why do you think many people hesitate to get involved in ministry at their local church?
3. To what or whom (sports teams, family, locations, etc.) are you very loyal?

Explore It

* 4. How had David shown his faithfulness to the Lord? (26:1, 3-8)
5. What appeal did David present to the Lord? (26:1-8)
6. What aspects of his own character did David want the Lord to consider? (26:1-8)
7. What central theme unifies this psalm? (26:1-12)
8. With whom did David refuse to associate? (26:4-5)
9. How are the wicked described in this psalm? (26:4-5, 9-10)
10. What are wicked people like? (26:4-5, 9-10)
* 11. What public act of devotion did David offer to the Lord? (26:6-7)
12. How did David share his faith with others? (26:6-7)
* 13. How was David involved in ministry in God’s house? (26:6-8)
14. How did David feel about his place of worship? (26:8)
15. How did David want to be treated differently by God from the wicked? (26:9-11)
16. Why did David believe he should be treated differently from others? (26:11)
17. What final words of confidence conclude this poem? (26:12)
18. What promise did David make to the Lord? (26:12)

Get It

* 19. Why is it important to be part of a local church?
20. What steps did David take to ensure that he remained pure and righteous before God?
21. What temptations threaten to tarnish your integrity?
22. What steps can you take to insure you remain morally upright?
23. What can we do to demonstrate our commitment and faithfulness to God?
* 24. How have you shown your faithfulness to the Lord?
25. How do you feel about going to church?
26. What should we do to demonstrate our respect for God’s house?
* 27. How are you involved in ministry at your local church, and what benefits do you gain from your commitment?
28. How can you show support for worship at your local church?

Apply It

29. What specific places, people, or things do you need to avoid this week to lessen the temptations you have to face?
* 30. What is one way you could demonstrate support for your church this week?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Trusting in the LORD without wavering.
Judged, examined and proved by God who is full of lovingkindness.
Not sitting with vain wicked people, dissemblers.
With a voice of thanksgiving, blessing God.
Telling others of all God’s wondrous works.
Standing in an even place, on level ground