the Book of Psalms God's Character in

God's Character inthe Book of PsalmsThe Edifying Effect Bible StudyBy Madison Burch

“Let everything that hasbreath praise the Lord!Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 150:6

Theme Verse of Study:

ORDER OF BIBLE STUDY

welcome page

background information

psalm one

psalm twenty-three

psalm thirty-four

psalm fifty-one

psalm sixty-three

psalm one hundred and thirty-nine

thank you / challenge / closing comments

WELCOME!THANKS FOR USING

THE EDIFYING EFFECT 'S

BIBLE STUDY MATERIAL !

STEP #1 – OBSERVE: WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY?

STEP #2 – INTERPRET: WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?

STEP #3 – APPLY: HOW CAN I LIVE OUT WHAT THE

TEXT SAYS?

When you study these passages, we encourage you to

consider this three step Bible study method:

Background InfoThe Old Testament was originally written inthe Hebrew language. Sometimes, there areaspects of the original language that we canmiss in our English translations of the Bible.However, the word “psalms” in the originalHebrew text means “praises.” There are 150psalms that make up the entire book ofPsalms in the Bible. Within the entire book ofPsalms in the Bible, there are five sub-booksthat each close with praise to the Lord.

“The individual psalms were probablywritten, collected, and organized intothese five books over a long period oftime” (Hays, 266, Baker Illustrated BibleHandbook). So, the backgroundinformation and context will be differentfor each individual psalm, as they have allbeen gathered and written over a largeramount of time.

It is unknown who officially establishedthe structure of the book of Psalms, and itis also unknown when the officialstructure of the book of Psalms wasfinalized. However, scholars believe that“the finalizing of the collection occurredafter the exile, perhaps near or during thetime of Ezra and Nehemiah (450-400 BC)”(Hays, 267, Baker Illustrated BibleHandbook).

It is likely that the psalms were originallyused as a form of worship within a groupsetting, as well as for individual prayer.Originally, the psalms were written in theHebrew language as poems. They wereoften sung and could even be sung to theplaying of instruments. The entire book ofPsalms contains great poetry that can bepurposefully sung as worship or used asguided prayer

Essentially, the Psalms are primarily usedto reveal to the audience “…how to pray toGod, how to praise God, and how tomeditate on God, in response to all Godhas done for us” (Hays, 269, BakerIllustrated Bible Handbook).

When reading the book of Psalms, today'sreader must understand that theindividual psalms are often emotional andrelatable, as real people wrote thesepsalms as either praises to God or towoefully cry out in hurt to God.

Therefore, the two main categories foundin the book of Psalms are praise andlament. The psalmists often wrote a psalmto either thank God for who He was bypraising him, or they wrote a psalm to cryout to the Lord amidst their pain, hurt,anxiety, and fear. The book of Psalmscontains a great amount of emotion, asthe individual psalms were written forvarying reasons.

The biblical book of Psalms can teach usa lot about who God is.

They can teach us how to depend on Godand seek Him in all circumstances.

They remind us to praise God in everysituation.

The individual psalms are extremelyrelatable for believers today, as we oftencommunicate to God by either praisingHim or crying out to Him. We are able tolament and praise. Through this study, beencouraged by the hope and praise foundin each Psalm; He hears your cries. God isgood, and He is worthy of praiseforevermore.

psalm one

T H E R I G H T E O U S V S . T H E W I C K E D

1 Blessed is the man who walks not inthe counsel of the wicked, nor stands inthe way of sinners, nor sits in the seat ofscoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of

the Lord, and on his law he meditatesday and night. 3 He is like a tree plantedby streams of water that yields its fruit inits season, and its leaf does not wither. In

all that he does, he prospers. 4 Thewicked are not so, but are like chaff that

the wind drives away. 5 Therefore thewicked will not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the congregation of the

righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the wayof the righteous, but the way of the

wicked will perish.


psalm one


Psalm one is the introductory psalm for the entire book of Psalms.Essentially, David is encouraging the audience to pursue lives ofrighteousness, as defined by the Lord. A godly lifestyle will producespiritual fruit, thus implying that the believer will experience great spiritualgrowth as they immerse themselves in the Lord. However, David contraststhe life of a righteous person with the life of someone who is considered“wicked.” Often times, we consider someone wicked if they are evidentlyevil. Yet the Hebrew word for “wicked” implies that this word is used todescribe someone who is characterized by godlessness. Thus, the wickedin this passage refers to someone who is not pursuing God and has nogodliness in them.

So, what does it mean to live as a righteous person? At the bottom of thispage, there will be two lists comparing a righteous person to a wickedperson. Remember that a wicked person is one who does not find theirdelight in the Lord.


psalm one


When you read Psalm 1, the word “blessed” means “happy.” Walking closelywith the Lord, delighting in the Lord, seeking Him for all growth/life, and bearingspiritual fruit for His glory is what will truly lead to a person living a fulfilled andpurpose-driven life. Verses 3-4 cultivate imagery of a tree. Think about how atree functions. When it is connected to its roots, when it is sustained by water,and when it bears the fruit it was designed to bear, then it is a tree doing its job.

However, if the tree is disconnected from its supply of life, then it will dry up andbe unsuccessful for what it was designed to be. Throughout Scripture, trees aregiven one job: to bear fruit! The only way to bear fruit is to faithfully andconsistently dwell with the Life-giver through abiding in Him.

Verses 5-6 share the outcome of the lives of the righteous and wicked person.The word “judgment” likely refers to the final judgment, as the judgment of thewicked will prevent them from entering the “congregation of the righteous.” Godknows the righteous — and this does not mean he simply “knows about them,”but that he deeply and intimately knows the righteous, as they dwell in arelationship with Him. However, the wicked will perish. God knows about them,but lacks a personal relationship with them.


psalm one


A Righteous Person (Defined by Psalm 1):- Does not walk in the counsel of the wicked- Does not position herself with sinners- Does not sit with those who scoff/mock- Delights in the law of the Lord- Meditates on the law of the Lord constantly- Positioned for growth, produces spiritual “fruit,”and does not wither away; prospers spiritually- The Lord knows their ways

A Wicked Person (Defined by Psalm 1):- Continuously walks in the counsel of the wicked- Actively associates with sinners/scoffers- Does not delight in the law of the Lord- Does not meditate on the law of the Lord- Does not produce spiritual fruit- Does not position herself for growth- Withers away/is driven away for lack of growth- Will not stand in judgment or amidst the righteous;they will perish

psalm one


Reflection Questions:1. Verses 1-6: Read Psalm 1 aloud. Focus on the words, comparisons, and purposeof the verses. What stands out to you most in this Psalm?

2. Verses 1-2: What does it look like for you to daily delight in the Lord? How do youconsistently focus on God throughout your day?

3. Verses 1-2: The word “wicked” in this passage refers to a godless person orsomeone who is not actively pursuing Christ, whereas the word “righteous” refersto someone actively abiding in Christ and producing fruit. What is David trying tocommunicate about the type of people a righteous person should often beassociating with? Why is it crucial for you to develop community with people whosharpen you in faith?

4. Verses 3-4: Think about how a fruit tree produces fruit. How does a "righteous"person produce spiritual fruit? How do they keep from withering? What areexamples of spiritual fruit you should be producing (look also at Galatians 5)?

5. Verses 5-6: Why is it important for you to have an eternal mindset as you live?How does this mindset change how you seek God and interact with others?


TEXT SAYS?

psalm one


Develop a challenge to do this week. Think of something you canapply from Psalm 1, and ask someone to hold you accountable tocompleting the challenge this week.

Challenge Ideas:- Daily read the word.- Daily have a time of solitude (sit in silence & reflect on the Lord).- Share with at least two people this week the truth in Psalm 1(this can help you develop a more eternal mindset by beingfocused on sharing the Bible with others).- Memorize Psalm 1- Pray through Psalm 1

Guided Prayer:God, You are good. Thank you for being so righteous and holy. You are a

perfect God and completely worthy of my worship. As I studied Psalm 1 today,I ask that you will allow these biblical principles to become part of my lifestyle.

Guide me to live like the righteous person instead of the wicked person. Helpme to seek wise counsel, to be thoughtful about who I surround myself with,

to delight in and focus on your Word, and to be positioned for spiritual growth.When I am weak, help me to not wither away; keep me dependent on you.

Prune the areas of my life that are not glorifying to you. Grow me and use meso you may be glorified. Thank you, God!


TEXT SAYS?

psalm twenty-three

T H E L O R D I S O U R S H E P H E R D A N D W E A R E H I S S H E E P

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall notwant. 2 He makes me lie down in green

pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me inpaths of righteousness for his name's

sake. 4 Even though I walk through thevalley of the shadow of death, I will fear

no evil, for you are with me; your rod andyour staff, they comfort me. 5 Youprepare a table before me in the

presence of my enemies; you anoint myhead with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surelygoodness and mercy shall follow me allthe days of my life, and I shall dwell in

the house of the Lord forever.


psalm twenty-three


Psalm 23 is a psalm by David that portrays God’s ability to shepherd and hostHis people. David was a shepherd at a point in his life, so the language in thispsalm is familiar to David. Shepherds have to diligently care for their sheepand provide for them in every way; sheep are incapable of taking care ofthemselves. They wander off because of distractions and can end up gettinghurt, but a good shepherd finds and cares for them. Interestingly, Godconsiders us – His children – to be His sheep, as He is our Shepherd. Whenwe wander or hurt, he cares for us. David writes this psalm to praise God forHis ability to shepherd His children with patience and steadfast love.

We are all like sheep, as we wander and often attempt to do life on our own;only in the presence of our Shepherd can we find true rest, righteousness,comfort, goodness, and mercy. David praises the Lord’s ability to shepherdand host his people, as well as His ability to give genuine rest and restorationto His “sheep.” This psalm reveals God’s faithfulness to guide His children andtake care of them in a personal way. In verse one, David opens by stating,“the Lord is my shepherd.”


psalm twenty-three


Next, the word “want” in verse one means “to be lacking” or “to be inadequate.”If the Lord is the Shepherd of our lives, then we will not lack, because Godmeets our needs. In verses 2-3, He makes David rest and leads him torestoration and righteousness so He may be glorified. Can you imagine beingutterly exhausted from the demands of life, but being able to find true peaceand comfort in the Lord? That is exactly what David is describing here – Godprovides rest for His sheep. In that rest, He restores his soul and leads him topaths of righteousness (opportunities for safety, growth, and contentmentthrough obedience). Then, in verse four, David shares that he knows God iswith him and will comfort him in the deepest darkness. Imagine the uncertaintyof darkness or the fear that comes with a trial – however, God’s presence isenough for us to be comforted in these times instead of being paralyzed withfear.

Lastly, in verses 5-6, the Lord is described as a “host.” David recognizes thatthe Lord has a place for him, even when his enemies are surrounding him withhopes of defeating and destroying him. However, the Lord treats him as aspecial guest, as the Lord hosts him with divine care. As David sits in thepresence of the Lord, he sees that God’s goodness and mercy will be withHim, as God provides such steadfast love through His comforting presence.When we wander as sheep or feel overwhelmed by our enemies, the Lord willbe our Shepherd and our Host; He cares for us so deeply and knows how tomeet our needs. Below is a list of the actions and roles of God in Psalm 23 thatwe can reflect on.


psalm twenty-three

T H E L O R D I S O U R S H E P H E R DA N D W E A R E H I S S H E E P

Roles/Actions of God in Psalm 23:- Shepherd and Host- Makes me rest- Leads me- Restores my soul- Leads me in paths of righteousness- Provides goodness & mercy- Provides His comfort & presence when I face uncertainty/darkness- Prepares a place for me

psalm twenty-three


Reflection Questions:1. Verses 1-6: Read Psalm 23 aloud slowly. Focus on the words, comparisons, andpurpose of the verses. What stands out to you in this Psalm?

2. Verse 1: When in your life have you seen God act as a Shepherd to you? Thinkabout when you have wandered, been wounded, struggled, etc. How has Godguided you with love through that situation?

3. Verse 1: How easily do you trust God when you have needs that desperatelyneed to be met? What role/action of God stood out to you most in Psalm 23?

4. Verses 2-3: How can you consistently find rest in the Lord, even when life feelsoverwhelming or demanding? Why is resting in His presence important? Whatdoes genuine rest in the Lord mean to you?

5. Verse 4: What do you think about God’s presence? How does knowing He ispresent to protect you, comfort you, and lead you change your view of trials oruncertain situations?


TEXT SAYS?

psalm twenty-three


Develop a challenge to do this week. Think of something you can applyfrom Psalm 23, and ask someone to hold you accountable to completingthe challenge this week.

Challenge Ideas:- Memorize Psalm 23 and pray through it daily.- Practice resting in the Lord intentionally this week.- Observe God’s presence & daily share with others how He was present.- Teach this passage to 1-2 other people this week.

Guided Prayer:God, You alone are worthy. You are my shield and my hope. There are manythings that fight for my attention and devotion, but help me to flee from evil.

Help me to rest in Your comfort and to want what You desire. Change myheart and grow me as a stronger follower of You. Even when I face darkness,You are guiding me and protecting me. Lead me by Your Spirit and increase

my faith. Thank You for Your goodness and mercy.


TEXT SAYS?

psalm thirty-four

P R A I S E T H E L O R D , F O R H E I S G O O D !

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in mymouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hearand be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his

name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me anddelivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant,and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and

the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angelof the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man whotakes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who

fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; butthose who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children,

listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is therewho desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep

your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Turnaway from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of

the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the

memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help,the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed inspirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but

the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; notone of them is broken. 21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those

who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems thelife of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be

condemned.


psalm thirty-four

P R A I S E T H E L O R D ,F O R H E I S G O O D !

Background:In this Psalm, David praises God with thanksgiving for how He has protectedhim through his trials. David went to the city of Gath after fleeing from Saul,but he was recognized in Gath. So, he acted like a “madman” to disguisehimself and ease himself out from under the King of Gath. The backstory forPsalm 34 is 1 Samuel 21:10-15.

Section I: Psalm 34:1-3Verses 1-3 truly show David’s heart in this Psalm. He begins by sharing hisdesire to “bless the Lord at all times,” meaning that he wants to speak highlyof God and His character always. In verse two, David transitions into invitingthe humble ones to hear his praises of God and praise God alongside him. Inverse three, David wants others to join him in magnifying God, meaning to tellothers of God’s greatness.

Section II: Psalm 34:4-7In verses 4-7, David shares how God responded to his prayers. David “sought”God and “cried” out to Him, and God answered him, delivered him, heard him,and saved him. David even shares that God took away his fears. He describesthat the ones who seek God will be “radiant,” meaning that they will exudethe light of the Lord. For the people to never be “ashamed” means that theycan always hope in God; He is always worth being hoped in, and He will notgive His people a reason to feel guilty or experience condemnation.


psalm thirty-four


Section III: Psalm 34:8-14After personally testifying to God’s goodness in verses 1-7, David now invitesothers to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. David is encouragingothers to fear the Lord and find refuge in Him, as God is faithful and worthy ofpraise. In verses 9-10, he speaks about those who fear the Lord not lackinganything. If one truly fears the Lord and is abiding in Him, then he will besustained by God continually and have his needs met by the Lord. The word“saints” in verse 9 means “holy ones,” and verses 13-14 include informationabout what it means to live a holy life. A major part of striving for holiness isfleeing from evil and choosing to walk in the light of the Lord instead.

Section IV: Psalm 34:15-22Lastly, David expresses how great the Lord’s care is for His people. Thissection contrasts God’s responses to the righteous, obedient people of Godversus the evil, disobedient people. God sees and hears the righteous whenthey cry out for help, but He is against the evil ones. God delivers therighteous ones from their troubles, and He remains close to the righteous tocare and provide for them. However, the unrighteous are not helped by God.The unrighteous are condemned by God, whereas the righteous are notcondemned by God. Although both types of people experience hardships,God’s responses to them are different. This passage reveals the value Godplaces on having a relationship with humans and caring for them. It is also areminder that God is gracious, but He is also judge; part of His role is to judgeand punish evil. Every person chooses whether or not they want to followGod and live righteously, or if they want to reject God and live unrighteously.God clearly responds based off of their choice to follow Him or not.


psalm thirty-four


Reflection Questions:1. Verses 1-3: How can you live in a way that constantly blesses the Lord andmagnifies His name? Can you praise Him more in conversations with others, in yourthoughts, actions, etc?

2. Verses 4-7: What causes you to live in fear? Think of a time when you felt afraidbut saw the Lord deliver you from that fear.

3. Verses 8-14: Read verses 13-14 again. What are ways you keep your tongue fromevil and from speaking lies? Why do you think God-honoring speech is important toliving a holy life that glorifies God?

4. Verse 14: How do you actively pursue peace on a daily basis?

5. Verses 15-22: Does this section compel you to live more obediently to God? Howso?

6. Verses 1-22: What verse stuck out to you most in this Psalm and why?


TEXT SAYS?

psalm thirty-four



Challenge Ideas:- Daily read the word.- Praise God aloud in a worshipful setting with friends.- Observe God’s character and comfort in your life daily.- Speak truth instead of speaking deceit/lies/gossip.- Memorize Psalm 34 this week.- Pray through Psalm 34 this week.

Guided Prayer:Lord, guide me to see and reflect on how good Your name is.

You alone are worthy of praise and adoration. Daily, give methe eyes to see your goodness. Thank you for hearing me, for

delivering me, and for being my source of comfort. Becauseof who You are, I have a reason to rejoice!


TEXT SAYS?

psalm fifty-one

A C R Y O F R E P E N T A N C E F O R G O D T O R E S T O R E

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,so that you may be justified in your words

and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold,I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7

Purge me hwith hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall bewhiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bonesthat you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and

blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, andrenew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and

my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God area broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in

right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;then bulls will be offered on your altar.


psalm fifty-one


Background of Psalm 51 from the Perspective of David – Context: 2 Samuel 11-12:

I’ve fallen – big time. It all started one day when I saw a beautiful woman named Bathshebabathing on her rooftop. I shouldn’t have done this, but I sent my servants to her; I wanted her. Myactions were motivated by lust. Knowing she had a husband – a man held in high honor in mykingdom – I still laid with her. Bathsheba became pregnant, and in hopes of covering our sin, I triedto lure her husband off of the battle field back to his home. Surely Uriah would sleep with his wifeif he returned, since he had been away fighting in war for so long. Yet, he refused to enjoy thecomfort of his home while his fellow men fought. I even tried to get him drunk to see if he wouldsleep with her, that way we could cover the mess, but he refused. So, he went back to battle, andselfishly, I had him killed on the frontline of the battle – all in hopes of covering my sin. I wasknown as a man of God, and I didn’t know what would happen if me, a king, was found out for suchsin. Bathsheba became my wife after Uriah died, but our sin was not hidden. The Lord knew, and itdispleased Him. Not only did He know, but my friend Nathan also found out, as God laid amessage on Nathan’s heart for me. Nathan came to me, confronting my sin. I messed up. I ruined afamily. As a consequence of my sin, the son Bathsheba bore from our affair also died. Nathanapproached me and called out my sin. I disobeyed the Lord, and it was hard to hear. God is stillgood, and He is worthy of my worship. He is not done with my story. He will use my sin for Hisglory. My job is to repent and worship, for He will restore.


psalm fifty-one


Commentary:In verses 1-2, David acknowledges his sin by crying out to God to be cleansed by His mercies. Heacknowledges characteristics of God in this statement (steadfast in love and merciful). Headdresses God with a sincere approach of understanding the depth of his sin, while also regardingGod as holy. In verses 3-5, David takes responsibility for his sin before God. He knows that God isnot to blame for the sin or consequences, as he understands his sin is his own responsibility. As heclaims that against God only he has sinned in verse four, he acknowledges God as ultimate judge.Our sin does hurt those around us, but ultimately, our sin hurts God. In verse five, he acknowledgeshis position of being a sinner from the very beginning. Not just at birth, but at conception, he wasconsidered a sinner. David humbly takes responsibility for his sin, and he also acknowledges Godas a holy and righteous judge in these verses. In verses 6-12, David cries out for restoration. Phrases like “the inward being” and “the secret heart”in verse six imply that he understands his change will occur from the inside-out. He is asking Godto transform his heart and make him “whiter than snow” (v. 7), as white is symbolic of purity. Theword “bones” in verse eight implies that his sin has affected his entire being, as he asks God to lethis bones rejoice. David is longing to be restored to joy and gladness, as sin can cause us to lackgenuine joy in the Lord. In verses 9-12, he is essentially pleading with God to restore him tocleanliness/purity and to allow him to remain in His presence. David longs for restoration, as heunderstands that his sin has caused destruction. In verses 13-19, David expresses his desire to truly worship God. He wants to teach sinners theways of God (v. 13), he wants to sing of His righteousness (v. 14), and he wants to declare His praise(v. 15). David knows that God desires him to be a living sacrifice who truly feels broken andrepentant of his sin; God does not just desire an external animal sacrifice (they are under OldTestament covenant in this Psalm), but He desires David’s heart. Lastly, in verses 18-19, David asksGod to “do good to Zion” and to “build up the walls of Jerusalem” (ESV). These verses express theimportance of the relationship between individual spiritual health and the spiritual health of allbelievers. Everyone who is a believer contributes either positively or negatively to the body, andDavid is praying that God’s people as a whole will contribute to the body in a healthy way.


psalm fifty-one


Reflection Questions:1. Verses 1-2: How do the qualities of God/roles of God in these first two versesencourage you?

2. Verses 3-5: When you sin, do you view it as hurtful to God? Also, how have youseen your sin hurt the people around you (for example: relationships damaged,leading others into temptation, etc.)?

3. Verse 6: What do you think this verse means? Why is it important to delight intruth and wisdom?

4. Verses 7-10: What comes to mind when you read these verses? Share a timewhen you have been broken or seen someone else broken, yet seen God’srestoration in the situation.

5. Verses 11-12: Do you long for the presence of God like David does in theseverses? How does your salvation give you abundant joy, no matter thecircumstances?

6. Verses 13-17: David is ready to teach others of God’s ways after being restoredfrom his sin. How can you use your struggles to teach and encourage others as away to praise God?

7. Verses 18-19: These verses imply the importance of all of God’s people healthilycontributing to the body of believers. How can we individually build up the body ofChrist? (examples: confession, accountability, spiritual disciplines, living faithfully,producing spiritual fruit, etc.)


TEXT SAYS?

psalm fifty-one



Challenge Ideas:- Memorize Psalm 51 and pray through it daily.- Practice confession this week.- Encourage others to confess by being a “Nathan” figure (2 Samuel 12).- Teach this passage to 1-2 people this week.

Guided Prayer:God, You are holy. You desire purity. Thank You for your

faithfulness and available forgiveness. God, convict me of thesinful areas in my life. Bring a "Nathan" figure into my life that will

help hold me accountable, and lead me by Your Spirit to be anaccountability figure for others. Give me strength over temptation

and help me to walk in obedience. You are good..


TEXT SAYS?

psalm sixty-three

T R U S T I N G G O D T O F U L F I L LU S W H E N W E A R E H U R T I N G

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seekyou; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints foryou, as in a dry and weary land where there isno water. 2 So I have looked upon you in thesanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3

Because your steadfast love is better thanlife, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless

you as long as I live; in your name I will lift upmy hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as withfat and rich food, and my mouth will praiseyou with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you

upon my bed, and meditate on you in thewatches of the night; 7 for you have been myhelp, and in the shadow of your wings I will

sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your righthand upholds me. 9 But those who seek to

destroy my life shall go down into the depthsof the earth; 10 they shall be given over to thepower of the sword; they shall be a portion forjackals. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; allwho swear by him shall exult, for the mouths

of liars will be stopped.


psalm sixty-three

T R U S T I N G G O D T O F U L F I L L U S W H E N W E A R E H U R T I N G

Commentary:David writes Psalm 63 while he is in the wilderness. Imagine this setting: David is king (v. 11), yet he is inthe wilderness hiding from his enemies. Scholars assume he is either fleeing from Saul (his father) orAbsalom (his son). Imagine how David felt – maybe he felt betrayed, discouraged, uncomfortable, orfearful. Despite how disturbing his circumstances were, David had faith that God would sustain him. Inverse one, David exalts God and expresses that only God can truly satisfy him. The word “my” evenreveals a more personal relationship that David has with the Lord. The image described in this verse isone of David being in a very dry, desolate place, longing for the Lord to fill him. He claims to “seek,”“thirst,” and “faint” for God. In verse two, the word “sanctuary” refers to corporate worship, and we seethat David misses worshipping God with fellow believers. David is reflecting on the “power and glory"of God that he has seen through worshiping God alongside other believers. Although David missesworshiping God in the sanctuary, he praises God with expectancy in verses three through four. Hecontinues to worship God, acknowledging how great His steadfast love is. David uses the word “will”three times in these verses, revealing that he is focused on praising God continually.

In verses 5-8, David continues to express his delight in the Lord (past, present, and future). Hedescribes how he has seen God’s faithfulness, is seeing God’s faithfulness, and will see God’sfaithfulness. He acknowledges different ways God has provided for him: satisfying his soul, being hishelp, and upholding him. David is full of joy and praise for God, as he has seen God’s faithfulness andprovision consistently; David has great faith in God.

In verses 9-11, David writes about how his enemies will not stand a chance against the power andrighteousness of God. Although David is being oppressed and attacked by his enemies, David is beingfaithful and is righteously living in relationship with the Lord. However, his enemies are against Davidand against God. These enemies likely did not want David to be their king, so they sought to destroyhim. However, God protects His anointed one, as God anointed David to be king; God upholds Hispromises and protects His people. In verses 9-10, David longs for justice to be brought to his situation.In verse eleven, he closes by acknowledging that he and his people will rejoice in God, as he knowsGod will stop the “mouths of liars.”


psalm sixty-three


We are able to praise God and be full of joy,even in tough, dry seasons of life. God’scharacter remains the same; He is faithful,and He will sustain us. Even when we facetrouble, our role is to praise God and havefaith. We need to trust that God is who Hesays He is, and He will fight to protect Hispeople!

“My soul clings to you; your right handupholds me.” -Psalm 63:8


Reflection Questions:1. Verse 1: When in your life have you longed for God the most? Why?

2. Verse 1: What does this look like for us to “earnestly” seek God?

3. Verse 2: Reflect on the word “sanctuary” and how this word represents corporateworship. Why is it so valuable to worship God with other believers? How does thiskind of worship grow us as believers?

4. Verses 3-4: Which do you value more: the love of God or your own life? How canyou be more focused on dwelling in God’s presence and living a lifestyle of praiseinstead of being focused on yourself?

5. Verses 5-8: In these verses, David praises God for His past, present, and futurefaithfulness. Think about how you have seen God’s faithfulness in your life (past),how you are currently seeing God’s faithfulness in your life (present), and how youexpect to see His faithfulness in your life (future).

6. Verses 9-11: Have you experienced betrayal or pain from others before? How doyou rely on the Lord for joy, peace, and rest in those moments of hurt caused byother people?


TEXT SAYS?

psalm sixty-three



Challenge Ideas:- Daily read the word.- Practice praising (tell God “thank you” for what you are grateful for).- Share with at least two people why you follow and praise God.- Share with at least two people this week about the truth in Psalm 63.- Memorize Psalm 63 this week.

Guided Prayer:God, there are times when I feel lonely, afraid, complacent, and

empty. There are times when life doesn't feel purposeful. Convictme when I am not living according to Your truth. God, thank You

for being my comfort, refuge, and source of trust when I amhurting. Your steadfast love is good. Give me a heart of praise,

even in dry seasons.


TEXT SAYS?

psalm sixty-three


psalm one hundred thirty-nine

T H E V A L U E O F B E I N G K N O W N B Y G O D

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sitdown and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You

search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all myways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know italtogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand uponme. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain

it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from yourpresence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in

Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in theuttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and

your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall coverme, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark toyou; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13 For

you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother'swomb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame wasnot hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven

in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formedfor me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me areyour thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count

them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Ohthat you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your

name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do Inot loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with completehatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my

heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be anygrievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!


1. God knows you (verses 1-6)This section in Psalm 139 has a personal tone. David introduces the theme of the whole Psalm in verseone by acknowledging that God has searched him and known him. He describes how God knows hisactions, thoughts, words, all of his ways, etc. God knows these things about David before David evenknows them about himself. These verses portray God as all-knowing, which is important for us toremember about the character of God, as He is sovereign. He is our Creator, and He knows us well! AsDavid mentions in verse six, this knowledge is incomprehensible for us as finite beings, but God doesknow all of these things.

2. God is with you (verses 7-12)Verses 7-12 are encouraging as they follow the general understanding that God deeply knows Hiscreation. Transitioning from point one, David begins to praise God for the fact that there is absolutelynowhere that he can go without God seeing him and caring for him. These verses should not beinterpreted as David wanting to flee from the presence of God, but they should be read withunderstanding that David is grateful for God’s presence and attentiveness to his life. In verses 8-10,David compares places that are opposites of each other; his purpose in doing this is to explain thatGod truly is present wherever David goes. Not only is God present, but He is active in leading andholding David. These descriptions reflect the nature of God as He nurtures and loves His children.Nowhere is too dark or too far for God to care for His children.




3. God wonderfully created you (verses 13-18)This section is extremely encouraging. David trusts that God fearfully and wonderfully made him in avery special way. He praises God for His works, His detail in creation, and for His thoughts of him. Theimage that God even knew David in the womb and began forming his story early on is powerful, as thisagain reveals that God is all-knowing and has special purpose for His creation. Verses 17-18 explainhow precious and plentiful God’s thoughts are of David, as David even says that they are more thanthe sand. Knowing that God is purposeful in forming His people and their stories is encouraging, but Itis also special to know that God has such precious thoughts of His children as well; He is caring!

4. God is just and will protect you (verses 19-22)These verses explain how not everyone delights in the Lord. The wicked hate God and curse Hispowerful name, and David does not appreciate them for their behavior or speech toward God. If thewicked do not repent of their ways, God will justly punish them. David loves the Lord so much that hewants nothing to do with those who curse God and blaspheme His holy name. God does not associatethe righteous with the wicked.

5. God is ready to grow you (verses 23-24)These last two verses reflect the first verse of the Psalm. God has searched him and known him, butnow God is invited to continue to search and know him. To ask God to examine our hearts and correctus in this deep way is a great way to follow His leading and experience spiritual growth. We should beopen to His guidance and correction in our lives so that we may be lead “in the way everlasting” (verse24).




Reflection Questions:1. Verses 1-6: Why do you think it is so special for God to know us in such detailedways like these verses describe? How does that make you feel?

2. Verses 7-12: Have you ever felt like you were in too far or too dark of a place forGod to care about you or notice you? How does the truth from these verses aboutthe Spirit of God consistently dwelling with you encourage you?

3. Verses 13-18: Do you struggle with believing that you are fearfully andwonderfully made? How do these verses remind you of your purpose and value inChrist?

4. Verses 19-22: How does it make you feel when people are not regarding God asholy and treating Him with honor and respect? When have you not regarded Godas holy, treating Him with honor and respect?

5. Verses 23-24: Are you open to God searching you and knowing you? As hesearches and knows you continually, how can you listen to His guidance andcorrection in your life?


TEXT SAYS?




Challenge Ideas:- Daily read the Word.- Write out special ways God has created you as an individual.- Write your own personal psalm, praising God for who He is in your life.- Memorize Psalm 139 this week.- Develop truth statements from Psalm 139 and focusing on them daily.

Guided Prayer:Lord, there are a lot of distracting messages in the world about

my identity. My own thoughts can even feel defeating. I'mencouraged by Your Word and the truth that you provide. Thank

You for knowing me and for giving me value. You are a goodFather, and I'm thankful for how You love and care for Your

children. Keep me from falling into the "self-help" culture, andkeep me grounded in Your truth about who I am. There is no

good in me apart from you. You are good!


TEXT SAYS?



WHAT DID YOU LEARN?Let's be women that encourage and equip others for the sake of theGospel. We are called to make disciples. As a final challenge, I want toencourage you to find a woman walking with the Lord to disciple you,and also look for ways to disciple other women! For more informationon how to do this, please feel free to reach out to The Edifying Effect.

Share this study with your people and tell them what you learned! As wewrap this study up, remember: God is worthy of your praise.

Thanks for joining! Grateful for you!

Xoxo, Madison Burch, Creator of The Edifying Effect

THANK YOUfollow @edifyingeffect on instagram /check out www.edifyingeffect.wordpress.com

for joining the edifying effect bible study!

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