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Psalms – TJL Compliation

PSALMS 19th Book in the Old Testament

Psalm 6Psalm 7Psalm 8



Psalm 15

Book 1: Genesis Section: Psalms 1- 41• Man in View: in a state of blessedness, fall, and recovery

• Perfect Man (Last Adam)-Psalm 1• Rebellious Man-Psalm 2• Perfect Man Rejected-Psalm 3• Conflict between Seed of Woman & Serpent-Psalm 4• Perfect Man in Midst of Enemies-Psalm 5• Perfect Man in Midst of Chastisement (Bruising Heel)-Psalm 6• Perfect Man in Midst of False Witnesses-Psalm 7• Repair of Man Comes through Man (Bruising Head)-Psalm 8• Enemy and Antichrist Conflict; Final Deliverance-Psalms 9-15• Christ in Midst of His People Sanctifying Them to God-Psalms

16-41


Psalm Scripture:Who is writer? Who are they speaking to?What was the situation when the Psalm was written?What is the writer’s attitude as the Psalm begins?

Does the writer’s attitude change? What is the writer’s attitude at the end of the Psalm?

Where in the passage does it first appear? What? – Knowledge

What facts / truths are stated?What knowledge / warnings are imparted?What does this Psalm teach us about God?What does this Psalm teach us about ourselves?What is the primary subject of / purpose for the Psalm?

So What – Understanding, HearingWhat do the facts stated mean for me?How is the Psalm intended to be used?What is the conclusion, the takeaway of Psalm as a whole?

How do I use the knowledge given?What principle do I need to follow?

How can I apply it to my life?How the Psalm intended to be used?

What is the primary subject of / purpose for the Psalm?Are there other scripture passages that apply

Now what? – Wisdom, Listening / Paying Attention: Application

What do I need to do / change in my life based on the knowledge / warnings given?What should I do or change in my life when I am feeling the same emotions as the writer? What should I focus on?

What command(s) should I obey?What principle(s) do I need to follow?Are there promise(s) to claim? What conditions are there?Are there sins to avoid? What should I not do or stop doing?


Psalm 6

Psa 6:1-10 ESV To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.

2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.

3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD-how long?

4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?

6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.

7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Psa 6:1-10 ISV To the Director: With stringed instruments. On an eight-stringed harp. A Davidic Psalm.

1 LORD, in your anger, do not rebuke me, in your wrath, do not discipline me.

2 Be gracious to me, LORD, because I am fading away. Heal me, because my body is distressed.

3 And my soul is deeply distressed. But you, LORD, how long do I wait?

4 Return, LORD, save my life! Deliver me, because of your gracious love.

5 In death, there is no memory of you. Who will give you thanks where the dead are?


6 I am weary from my groaning. Every night my couch is drenched with tears, my bed is soaked through.

7 My eyesight has faded because of grief, it has dimmed because of all my enemies.

8 Get away from me, all of you who practice evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD receives my prayer.

10 As for all my enemies, they will be put to shame; they will be greatly frightened and suddenly turn away ashamed.

Psa Scripture Probable Occasion B.C.6 1Ch 28:21 Inserted toward the end of David's life 1015

The Book of Psalms: Psalm 6[To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm

of David.]The inscription tells us that David wrote this psalm, but we aren’t sure when.

It could have been composed during the time of Absalom’s rebellion when David was old, sick, and unable to handle all the complex responsibilities of the kingdom.

David’s gradual failure as a visible leader was one of Absalom’s “selling points” as he stole the hearts of the Israelites (2 Sam. 15:1-6).

2Sa 15:1-6 NKJV After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel." 3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you." 4 Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, that I


were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice." 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

The psalm could have been written at any time during David’s reign when he was ill and being attacked by his enemies.

He describes his plight - ”foes without, fears within” - and cries out to God for mercy.

He was sure he was facing death (Ps 6:5), which indicates that his experience was real and that he wasn’t using sickness and war only as metaphors for his personal troubles.

Neginoth means “stringed instruments,” and

Sheminith means “eighth,” which may refer to the number of a familiar melody, a lower octave for men’s voices, or the number of strings of the instrument to be played.

You find Sheminith also in the title of Psalm 12 (see 1 Chron. 15:21).

Penitential Psalms (Ps 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143)• Suffering under God’s discipline.

• Our choices (Heb 12): despise it; resist it; collapse under it; or accept it and submit and pray that the lessons not be wasted

Psalm 6 is the first of seven “penitential psalms” in which the writers are being disciplined by God and experiencing suffering.

Ps 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; and 143; All of these psalms are helpful to us when we need to confess our sins and draw closer to the Lord.

In this psalm, David records the stages in his difficult experience of moving by faith from trial to triumph.


1] O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

2] Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

3] My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

The Pain of DisciplIne (Ps 6:1-3). Eight times in the psalm David addresses God as “LORD - Jehovah,” the covenant name of God, and the address in Ps 6:1 is repeated in Ps 38:1, and see Jeremiah 10:24.

Psa 38:1 A Psalm of David. To Bring to Remembrance. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure!

Jer 10:24 O LORD, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.

[rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure]

Seven Requests of David1. Rebuke me not in Thine anger.2. Chasten me not in wrath.3. Have mercy upon me (Psa_6:2).4. Heal me.5. Return, O Lord (Psa_6:4).6. Deliver my soul.7. Save me for Thy mercies’ sake.

When God deals with His children, usually He first rebukes and then chastens, just as parents first warn disobedient children and then discipline them (Heb. 12:5-6; Prov. 3:11-12).

Pro 3:11-12 NKJV My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Heb 12:1-13 NKJV Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares


us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "MY SON, DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR BE DISCOURAGED WHEN YOU ARE REBUKED BY HIM; 6 FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. .

According to Hebrews 12:1-13, chastening is not punishment meted out by an irate judge but discipline given by a loving Father to help His children mature (Rev. 3:19).

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Sometimes God chastens us in order to deal with our disobedience, but at other times, He chastens us to prepare us for what lies ahead.

It’s like the training of an athlete for a race.


David thought God was angry with him, but that wasn’t necessarily true.

When you consider that he was surrounded by foes (Ps 6:7), evildoers (Ps 6: 8), and enemies (Ps 6:.10) and that his body was weak and in pain and his soul troubled, you can see why he felt like he had a target on his back.

Three times he used the Hebrew word bahal, It is translated “vexed” in the KJV (Ps 6:2, 3, 10),

H926 בהל bahal to disturb, alarm, terrify, to be hurries / hasty, dismay, be disturbed, be anxious, be afraid, be hurried, be nervous

In the 17th century, when the KJV was translated, the word vex was much stronger and more vehement than it is today and meant more vehement: “faint, weak, troubled, terrified.”

The translators of the Greek Old Testament used tarasso, which is the word used in the Greek of John 12:27: “Now is my soul troubled” (Mat. 26:38; Mark 14:34).

Joh 12:27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

Mat 26:38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."

Mar 14:34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."

Knowing that he deserved far more than what he was enduring, David begged for mercy and asked God to send help speedily.

Psa 103:13-14 NKJV As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

The painful question “How long?” is asked at least sixteen times in Psalms 6:3; 13:1-2; 35:17; 62:3; 74:9-10; 79:5; 80:4; 82:2; 89:46; 90:13; 94:3.

The answer to the question is,


“I will discipline you until you learn the lesson I want you to learn and you are equipped for the work I want you to do.”

According to Hebrews 12, when God disciplines us, we can

despise it, resist it, collapse under it and quit or accept it and submit.

What God is seeking is submission.

Mat 5:10-12 NKJV Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1Pe 3:10-17 NKJV For "HE WHO WOULD LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. 11 LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. 12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." 13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED." 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.


4] Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.

5] For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?The Old Testament view of afterlife was limited (2 Tim 1:10).

2Ti 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

The Futility of Death (Ps 6:4-5). [For in death there is no remembrance of thee] Death claims

only the body (Jas_2:26), not the soul and spirit which are immortal (1Pe_3:4).

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

1Pe 3:4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

1 Peter 3:4 [hidden man of the heart] This is the inner man

Rom 7:22 NKJV For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

2Co 4:16 NKJV Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Eph 3:16 NKJV that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

[is not corruptible] Greek: aphthartos (G862). Translated "not corruptible" of man’s soul and spirit (1Pe_3:4);

"incorruptible" of man’s crown (1Co_9:25),

1Co 9:25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a


perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

of the future resurrected body (1Co_15:52),

1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

of our heavenly inheritance (1Pe_1:4),

1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

of the Word of God (1Pe_1:23);

1Pe 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

"uncorruptible" of God (Rom_1:23);

Rom 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

"immortal" of God (1Ti_1:17).

1Ti 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

We have definite proof that the inner man is just as immortal as God (1Co_15:42; 1Ti_6:16; 1Ti_1:17).

1Co 15:42 NKJV So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

1Ti 6:16 NKJV who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

1Ti 1:17 NKJV Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.


Twenty-five Proofs of the Immortality of the Soul1. The hidden man of the heart is not corruptible (is immortal,

1Pe_3:4).2. Hell [sheol: the underworld, the abode of the dead] from

beneath is moved to meet thee at thy coming (Isa_14:9-11).3. They have eternal life (Joh_3:15-16; Joh_6:54, Joh_6:58;

Joh_17:2-3).4. They are passed from death unto life (Joh_5:24; Joh_6:40,

Joh_6:47).5. He shall live forever (Joh_6:51).6. They shall never perish (Joh_10:28).7. They shall never die (Joh_11:25-26).8. Man is not able to kill the soul (Mat_10:28; Luk_12:5).9. There appeared Moses talking with Him (Mat_17:3; cp.

Deu_34:6).10. Their worm dieth not (Mar_9:43-49).11. In hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments (Luk_16:19-31).12. All live unto Him (Luk_20:37-38).13. Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is

renewed day by day ... The things which are not seen (the soul and spirit) are eternal (2Co_4:16-18).

14. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2Co_5:8).

15. To depart (die, the inner man leaving the body, Jas_2:26) is to be with Christ (Php_1:21-24).

16. Whether we wake (live) or sleep (die), we shall live with Him (1Th_5:10).

17. You are come unto the spirits of just men and made perfect (Heb_12:22-23).

18. The souls of the dead live according to God in the spirit (1Pe_4:6).

19. He that doeth the will of God abideth forever (1Jn_2:17).20. We know we have passed from death unto life because we

love (1Jn_3:14-15).21. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son

(1Jn_5:11).


22. He that hath the Son hath life (1Jn_5:12; 1Jn_2:24-25).23. Your heart shall live forever (Psa_22:26).24. The path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect

day (Pro_4:18).25. I saw under the altar the souls . . . they cried, saying

(Rev_6:9-11).

David felt that God had turned His back on him and deserted him, so he asked Him to return; and then he began to reason with Him.

Exo 34:6-7 NKJV And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."

Every Jew knew that the Lord was “merciful and gracious” so David asked God to manifest that mercy to him and spare his life.

What would the Lord gain by allowing David to die?

Psa 30:9-10 NKJV "What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? 10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!"

Psa 88:10-12 NKJV Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah 11 Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? 12 Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

King Hezekiah used a similar approach when he prayed for deliverance from death (Isa. 38:18-19).

Isa 38:18-19 NKJV For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. 19 The living, the living man, he shall praise You, As I do this day; The father shall make known Your truth to the children.


[grave] Hebrew: she’owl (H7585), the unseen world; the place of the soul.

The word grave in verse 5 is sheol, a word that can mean “the grave” or “the realm of the dead.” Here it means the latter.

It is not the Hebrew: qeber, the grave, the place of the body. See Hell.

In Old Testament times, people didn’t have the clear revelation of the afterlife that was brought through Jesus (2 Tim. 1:10),

2Ti 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Although there were glimpses of what God had in store for His people.

Psa 16:9 NKJV Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of


life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psa 17:15 NKJV As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Psa 49:14 NKJV Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah

It is true that the dead bodies of dust don’t remember God

Psa 30:9 NKJV "What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?

Psa 115:17 NKJV The dead do not praise the LORD, Nor any who go down into silence.

Ecc 3:19 NKJV For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.

but the soul and spirit are not dust; they remain conscious after death

Psa 16:10 NKJV For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption

Isa 14:9 NKJV "Hell from beneath is excited about you, To meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, All the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones All the kings of the nations.

Mat 12:40 NKJV For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Luk 16:19-31 NKJV "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously


every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' 27 "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29 Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "

Heb 12:23 NKJV to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Rev 6:9 NKJV When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.


Rev 19:20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Rev 20:12-15 NKJV And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.


A body in the grave can’t praise or serve God, and David wasn’t certain what his spirit could do for the Lord in sheol.

Conclusion: It would be wiser for the Lord to deliver him and let him live. David still had work to do.


6] I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

7] Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

The Strain of Despair (Ps 6:5-7). Eightfold Grief of David

1. I am weak (exhausted, Psa_6:2).2. I am sick-heal me.3. My bones are vexed (tremble, Psa_6:3).4. My soul is sore vexed (trembles, Psa_6:2, Psa_6:3).5. I am weary with pain (Psa_6:6).6. I weep all the night long.7. My eyes are consumed (sunk, Psa_6:7).8. My eyes wax old (withered).

We have gone from a morning psalm (Ps 3:5) to an evening psalm (Ps 4:8) and back to a morning psalm (Ps 5:3).

Now we have another evening psalm (Ps 6:6).

Psa 3:5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

Psa 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psa 5:3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

Psa 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.

Whereas in the previous psalms, the Lord gave sleep and peace to David, here we find the king sleepless because of fear and pain.

He was worn out from groaning, tossing, and turning; and he spent a good deal of time weeping.

“I soak my pillow ... I drench my couch” (Ps 6:6; see Ps 38:9-10).


Psa 38:9-10 NKJV Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. 10 My heart pants, my strength fails me; As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.

Sleeping had been replaced by suffering.

Sleep is important for healing (John 11:11-12), so David’s lack of sleep only made the condition worse.

Joh 11:11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up." 12 Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well."

David’s weakened condition was revealed by the dullness of his eyes (Ps 6:7;

It’s remarkable how much physicians can discover about our physical condition by looking into our eyes.

Sickness and pain either make us better or bitter, and the difference is faith.

If we turn to God, pray, remember His promises, and trust Him, we will find His grace sufficient for our needs

2Co 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Lord may not do what we ask, when we want it, but He will do what needs to be done and help us glorify His name.

The question we should ask isn’t “When will I get out of this?” but “What can I get out of this?”


The Joy of Deliverance (Ps 6:8-10).

8] Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

“Depart from me” Cf. Mt 7:23, Lk 13:27: seems quite final.

Mat 7:21-23 NKJV "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Luk 13:22-30 NKJV And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' 26 then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' 27 But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."

His enemies said that David was done for, but the failure of their prediction would leave them ashamed and defeated.


9] The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

10] Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

At this point, there’s a sudden and surprising change from suffering to joy, an experience recorded in other psalms

Psa 22:22 NKJV I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

Psa 56:10 NKJV In God (I will praise His word), In the LORD (I will praise His word),

Psa 69:30 NKJV I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

It doesn’t matter whether this change occurred later or immediately after David prayed, but he felt healing in his body and peace in his heart and mind.

Perhaps word came to him that the enemy had retreated or, better yet, had been defeated; and he knew God had heard his cries.

Or maybe his circumstances hadn’t changed at all, but David felt God’s witness in his heart that all would be well.

The Lord had heard his weeping and requests and had accepted his prayer.

[The LORD hath heard my supplication] David rallies, encouraging himself that God will hear his prayer and save his enemies, so that they may be suddenly ashamed

He used this experience to glorify the Lord as he witnessed to his enemies.

How this message was conveyed to them, we don’t know; but David was quick to honor the Lord for what had occurred.


Perhaps the words in Ps 6:8-10 are an apostrophe, a speech addressed to persons not present but meaningful to those people hearing or reading it.

[return] Hebrew: shuwb (H7725), recover, convert, restore.

It is also translated converted. It is not that David wanted his enemies destroyed, but converted.

Psa 19:7 NKJV The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

Psa 51:13 NKJV Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

Isa 1:27 NKJV Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness.


Psalm 7Psa 7:1-17 ISV1 A Davidic psalm, which he sang to the LORD, because of

the words of Cush the descendant of Benjamin. LORD, my God, I seek refuge in you. Deliver me from those who persecute me! Rescue me!

2 Otherwise, they will rip me to shreds like a lion, tearing me apart with no one to rescue me.

3 LORD, my God, if I have done this thing, if there is injustice on my hands,

4 if I have rewarded those who did me good with evil, if I have plundered my enemy without justification,

5 then, let my enemy pursue me, let him overtake me, and let him trample my life to the ground. Interlude Let him put my honor into the dust.

6 Get up, LORD, in your anger! Rise up, because of the fury of my enemies; Arouse yourself for me; you have ordained justice.

7 Let the assembly of the peoples gather around you, and you will sit high above them.

8 For the LORD will judge the peoples. Judge me according to my righteousness, LORD, and according to my integrity, Exalted One.

9 Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. For you are the righteous God who discerns the inner thoughts.

10 God is my shield, the one who delivers the upright in heart.

11 God is a righteous judge, a God who is angry with sinners every day.

12 If the ungodly one doesn't repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will string his bow and prepare it.

13 He prepares weapons of death for himself, he makes his arrows into fiery shafts.

14 But the wicked one travails with evil, he conceives malice and gives birth to lies.

15 He digs a pit, even excavates it; then he fell into the hole that he had made.


16 The trouble he planned will return on his own head, and his violence will descend on his skull.

17 But as for me, I will praise the LORD for his righteousness, and I will sing to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psa 7:1-17 ESV

1 A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite. O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,

2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands,

4 if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause,

5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.

7 Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high.

8 The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.

9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous- you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!

10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation

every day.12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has

bent and readied his bow;13 he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his

arrows fiery shafts.


14 Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.

15 He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.

16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.

17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psa Scripture Probable Occasion B.C.7 2Sa 16:14 On the reproaches of Shimei 1023

The Book of Psalms: Psalm 7[Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD,

concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.]Shiggaion: only here and in Hab 3:1: “to wander, cry aloud.”

Hab 3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth. Shiggaion could mean “a passionate psalm with strong emotion.”

The scope of the Psalm guides Dr. Thirtle to the choice of sha’ag, to cry aloud, in trouble, danger, or pain, pointing to the loud cry of David when he was in danger of being torn in pieces, and to the loud cries (plural) of Habakkuk: of pain in Hab_3:16 and of praise in Hab_3:18 (CB, Appendix 65,XX., p. 95).

The theme is God’s vindication of His servant and judgment on his enemies (Ps 7:6, 8, 11).

[Cush the Benjamite] Who he was is not known but he was among evil men from King Saul’s tribe who spied and spread vicious rumors for pay and approval (2 Sam 22-24, 26).

He was one of a group of evil men from Saul’s tribe who reported what they heard about David during those years when Saul was out to capture and destroy his rival.


Saul played on the sympathy of his leaders and bribed them into serving as spies (1Sa 22:6ff.; 1Sa 23:21; 1Sa 24:8ff.; 1Sa 26:18-19).

1Sa 22:6. NKJV When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered—now Saul was staying in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him—….

1Sa 23:21 NKJV And Saul said, "Blessed are you of the LORD, for you have compassion on me…..

1Sa 24:8. NKJV David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down.

1Sa 26:18 NKJV And he said, "Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand? 19 Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.'

To earn the king’s approval and rewards, they even lied about David, and Saul believed them.

We don’t know what lies Cush told Saul, but David was concerned enough to cry out to God for deliverance and vindication


Other People Judge Us Wrongly (Ps 7:1-2).

1] O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

[LORD my God] Jehovah (Jehovah (H3068)) my ’Elohiym (H430). In thee do I put my trust, or flee for refuge.

[save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me]Eight Requests to Jehovah- ’Elohiym 1. Save me from my persecutors (Psa_7:1).2. Deliver me from them.3. Arise, O Lord, in thine anger (Psa_7:6).4. Lift up Thyself because of my enemies.5. Awake for me to judgment.6. Judge me, O Lord, in righteousness (Psa_7:8).7. Let the wickedness of man end (Psa_7:9).8. Establish the just.

2] Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

Cush lied about David; therefore, Saul persecuted and pursued David (Ps 7:1, 5, 13).

Saul’s judgment of David was false, and David trusted the Lord to protect and save him.

David fled to the Lord for refuge (Ps 11:1; Ps 16:1; Ps 31:1; Ps 57:1; Ps 141:8) because the Lord knew that David was innocent of Saul’s accusations.

Psa 11:1 NKJV To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain"?

Psa 16:1 NKJV A Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

Psa 31:1 NKJV To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.


Psa 57:1 NKJV To the Chief Musician. Set to "Do Not Destroy." a Michtam of David When He Fled from Saul into the Cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.

Psa 141:8 NKJV But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute.

[like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver] Here David’s chief persecutor is compared to a lion, and David with no one to deliver him.

As the lion is the king of beasts, so Saul was king of the land.

As the lion in his fierceness seizes and tears his prey to pieces, so David was in danger of being seized and destroyed by Saul.

All this answers to the 21 attempts of Saul to kill David (1Sa 18:1-26:2).

Twenty-one Attempts of Saul to Kill David1. An attempt by a javelin (1Sa_18:11)2. Second attempt by javelin (1Sa_18:11)3. By scheming to have him killed by the Philistines (1Sa_18:17-

19)4. Through Michal and the Philistines (1Sa_18:20-30)5. Trying to get Jonathan and all his own servants to kill him

(1Sa_19:1-7)6. Third personal attempt to kill him by javelin (1Sa_19:8-10)7. By messengers to his house (1Sa_19:11-14)8. Messengers to his house (1Sa_19:15-16)9. Messengers to Ramah (1Sa_19:17-20)10. Messengers to Ramah (1Sa_19:21)11. Messengers again to Ramah (1Sa_19:21)12. By personally going to Ramah (1Sa_19:22-24)13. Planning to kill him the first day of the feast (1Sa_20:24-26)


14. Planning to kill him the second day of the feast (1Sa_20:27-30)

15. Commanding that he be brought from home to die (1Sa_20:31-42)

16. Making war on Keilah to kill David (1Sa_23:8-13)17. Seeking him in the wilderness of Ziph (1Sa_23:14-18)18. Sending spies to find him (1Sa_23:19-24)19. Sending his army after him (1Sa_23:25-29)20. Again going after David with 3,000 selected men, but falling

into his hands and being spared (1Sa_24:1-22)21. Still again going after David with a selected army, but falling

into his hands a second time and being spared (1Sa_26:1-25)

David had saved his father’s sheep from the attacks of dangerous beasts (1 Sam. 17:34-37), and now he felt like he was the victim.

1Sa 17:34-37 NKJV But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." 37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"

For animals as symbols of enemies,

Psa 10:9 NKJV He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; He lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.

Psa 17:12 NKJV As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

Psa 22:12 NKJV Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. 13 They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion.


Psa 22:16 NKJV For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;

Psa 22:20 NKJV Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Save Me from the lion's mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me.

Psa 35:17 NKJV Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, My precious life from the lions.

Psa 57:4 NKJV My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.

Psa 58:6 NKJV Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!

Psa 124:6 NKJV Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

David saw himself as a “dead dog,” a “flea,” or a hunted bird

1Sa 24:14 NKJV After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?

1Sa 26:20 NKJV So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

Note that the King James Version and the New American Standard Bible move from the plural (Ps 7:1) to the singular (Ps 7:2), from Saul’s men to Saul himself.

When today people falsely accuse us and create problems for us, we should follow David’s example and find refuge in the Lord.

But let’s be sure that we are suffering wrongfully and not because of our own foolishness or disobedience

Mat 5:11-12 NKJV "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for


great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1Pe 3:13-17 NKJV And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED." 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.


We Judge Ourselves Honestly . (Ps 7:3-5).

3] O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4] If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

5] Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

This is most certainly penned before David assumed the throne of Israel and before the episode between himself, Bathsheba and Uriaiah.

It was during the time David having been declared the next king of Israel by Samuel was pursued by Saul.

David was accused by Saul of seeking the kingdom and an opportunity to kill the king.

David here denies these charges before God, offering to lay down his own life if they were true (Psa_7:3-5).

Seven Denials of David1. I have not plotted to get the kingdom.2. I have not plotted the murder of Saul.3. I have not rewarded evil to Saul, but have been at peace with

him (Psa_7:4).4. I am not guilty or I would not have delivered Saul from death

after he became my enemy (Psa_7:4; 1Sa_24:1-22; 1Sa_26:1-25).

If I Am Guilty:

5. Let Saul capture me (Psa_7:5).6. Let him destroy my life.7. Let him take away my honor.

David affirmed his integrity before the Lord and asked the Supreme Judge to vindicate him because his hands were clean.


David wasn’t claiming to be sinless; he was stating that he was blameless in his motives and actions (Ps 7:8). Psa 18:18-27 NKJV They confronted me in the day of my

calamity, But the LORD was my support. 19 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me. 23 I was also blameless before Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity. 24 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. 25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 27 For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.

Php 2:12-18 NKJV Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

If indeed he was guilty of sin, David was willing for his own honor to be laid in the dust. He was willing to accept God’s discipline; but David knew that his hands were clean – at least at this time…

Isa 1:15 NKJV When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.


Isa 59:3 NKJV For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.

Eze 23:37 NKJV For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even sacrificed their sons whom they bore to Me, passing them through the fire, to devour them.

Eze 23:45 NKJV But righteous men will judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.

Act 20:26 NKJV Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.


God Judges Sinners Righteously (Ps 7:6-13).

6] Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

David thinks God must be stirred up – spurred into action…

Jer 33:3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

“Arise, O LORD” reminds us of the words of Moses when the camp of Israel began their march with the ark leading the way

Num 10:35 So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: "Rise up, O LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You."

2Ch 6:40-42 NKJV Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place. 41 "Now therefore, Arise, O LORD God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, And let Your saints rejoice in goodness. 42 "O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed; Remember the mercies of Your servant David."

David prays after the pattern of Moses in Num_10:35

Psa 3:7 NKJV Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Psa 9:19 NKJV Arise, O LORD, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight.

Psa 10:12 NKJV Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble.

"Arise" is the same as "lift up Thyself" and “awake”

Psa 94:2 NKJV Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud.


Isa 33:10 NKJV "Now I will rise," says the LORD; "Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up.

Psa 35:23 NKJV Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, To my cause, my God and my Lord.

Psa 44:23 NKJV Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever.

Psa 59:5 NKJV You therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah


Prayers for Judgment7] So shall the congregation of the people compass thee

about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. 8] The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD,

according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

David prays for judgment that God has commanded, so such prayers are in harmony with God and His Word.

We are still to pray for God to come and judge the world, and for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Naturally, many will be destroyed when this is fulfilledZec_14:1-21; Joe_3:1-21; Ezekiel 38-39Mat 25:41 NKJV "Then He will also say to those on the left

hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

2Th 1:7 NKJV and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Jud 1:14 NKJV Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

Then people will be drawn to God (Psa_7:7); then the righteous will be vindicated (Psa_7:8); then all wickedness will be put down (Psa_7:9); and


then shall the righteous inherit the earth and be established in it (Psa_7:9).

1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

9] Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

David knew that almighty God could test the minds and the hearts and he wanted to see the wickedness of his enemies exposed and stopped.

Rev 2:23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

[God trieth the hearts and reins] God tries the hearts that are so deceitful and desperately wicked and the reins, the innermost mind and feelings

Job 16:13 NKJV His archers surround me. He pierces my heart and does not pity; He pours out my gall on the ground.

Job 19:27 NKJV Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Psa 16:7 NKJV I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

Psa 26:2 NKJV Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

Psa 73:21 NKJV Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.

Psa 139:13 NKJV For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

Pro 23:16 NKJV Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your


lips speak right things.

Isa 11:5 NKJV Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

Jer 11:20 NKJV But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause.

Jer 12:2 NKJV You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind.

Jer 17:9 NKJV "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

Jer 20:12 NKJV But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You.

10] My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. My shield is God who saves the just. Hence, I have no uneasy or fearful feeling as to the future.

David’s defense was the Lord. David knew that danger was near, and he wanted the Lord to move into action.

Psa 3:7 NKJV Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Psa 9:19 NKJV Arise, O LORD, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight.

Psa 10:12 NKJV Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble.

Psa 17:13 NKJV Arise, O LORD, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,


Psa 44:26 NKJV Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies' sake.

Psa 68:1 NKJV To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song. Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.

It’s during those times when God seems inactive that we get impatient and want to see things happen immediately.

God is more long-suffering than we are, and we must wait for Him to work in His time.

“Let God convene the court! Ascend Your throne on high! Let all the people gather together to witness the trial! Let the Lord try me and prove to all that I am innocent!”


God’s Constant Anger With the Wicked

11] God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry [with the wicked] every day.

"Every day" means constantly, continually.

This does not refer to the daily expression of God’s wrath, but to His continual abhorrence of the wicked.

His is not sudden emotion that breaks forth in wrath and then changes or passes away.

It is the uniform attribute of God that is as unchanging as His own being and nature.

The idea is, there is no change in His attitude toward sin.

The wicked will find Him no more favorable to sin tomorrow than He was yesterday.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Mal 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

This could also refer to the wicked storing up daily wrath against the day of wrath (Rom_1:18; Rom_2:5).

Rom 1:18-19 NKJV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

Rom 2:5-11 NKJV But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who "WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS": 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey


unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

How can God both love the world and hate the wicked?

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Psa 5:5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.

The King James Version puts “with the wicked” (Ps 7:11) in italics, which means the phrase was added by the translators, but both the New International Version and the New American Standard Bible translate the text without it.

12] If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

Only the Lord can truly vindicate:

Rom 12:17-21 NKJV Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Only God’s holy anger could truly vindicate David.

God’s love is a holy love, and if God loves righteousness, He must also hate wickedness.

13] He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.


David had two opportunities to kill Saul and refused to do so (1 Sam 24 - The cave in En Gede and 1 Sam 26 – Saul’s encampment in the Wilderness of Ziph) --- no personal malice…

This was proof enough that his heart was not filled with personal malice and a desire for revenge.

David didn’t take the situation into his own hands; rather, he turned Saul and his scheming men over to the Lord.


Sin Itself Judges Sinners Ultimately (Ps 7:14-17).

14] Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

The wicked are pictured as conceiving sin and giving birth to iniquity

Sinners “conceive” sin that, like a monstrous child, eventually grows up and destroys them.

The image of sin as pregnancy is frequently found in Scripture

Job 15:35 NKJV They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit."

Isa 33:11 NKJV You shall conceive chaff, You shall bring forth stubble; Your breath, as fire, shall devour you.

Isa 59:4 NKJV No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isa 59:13 NKJV In transgressing and lying against the LORD, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

Jas 1:13 NKJV Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

15] He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

They dig pits and fall into them themselves

Psa 57:6 NKJV They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah


Pro 26:27 NKJV Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Ecc 10:8 NKJV He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

Five examples of falling into one’s own pit:1. Jacob (Gen_27:14 with Gen_37:31-32)2. Saul (1 Samuel 18:11-26:2 with 1Sa_31:1-13)3. David (2Sa_11:14-15 with 2Sa_12:10)4. Haman (Est_7:10)5. Accusers of Daniel (Dan_6:4-24)

16] His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

The trouble they cause comes back on their own heads.

Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Psa 37:14 NKJV The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. 15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.

1Sa 25:39 NKJV So when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the LORD, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept His servant from evil! For the LORD has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head." And David sent and proposed to Abigail, to take her as his wife.

[pate] The smooth skull or scalp.

Retributive JusticeGod expresses His anger at sin every day, so He doesn’t have to summon a special court to judge sinners.

He allows sinners to reap the sad consequences of their sins day by day.


Rom 1:24-32 NKJV Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Sometimes their persistent rebellion causes Him to send special judgment when His long-suffering has run its course.

Gen 6:5-7 NKJV Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."

There is a work of divine retribution in this world, and nobody can escape it.

God abandoned King Saul to his own ways (1 Sam. 15), and ultimately both the arrow and the sword caught up with him.

He wanted to kill David, but his own sword killed him.


1Sa 31:3 NKJV The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me." But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.

Pharaoh ordered the male Jewish babies to be drowned in the Nile, and his own army was drowned in the Red Sea. (Ex 1:22 / Ex 14:23-28)

Haman built a gallows on which to hang Mordecai, and Haman himself was hanged on it (Est. 7:10).

17] I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

The psalm closes with David extolling the Lord, not for the fact that sinners have been judged, but because the righteousness of God has been magnified.

The fact that people are ensnared by their own sins and ultimately judged should bring no joy to believers, but the fact that God is glorified, and His righteousness exalted does and should cause us to praise Him.

God judges sin because He is holy and His decrees are just

“Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight” (Lu 10:21)

God gave His own Son to die for the sins of the world, so that He might uphold His own holy law and at the same time offer His mercy and grace to all who will believe.

People may not like the way God runs His Universe, but He is God and has provided us a way of escape from sin and death.

YHVH El Elyon, ’Elyown (H5945), The Most High.

possessor of heaven and earth; the Dispenser of God’s blessings in the earth.


This divine name is used 23 times in the Psalms and goes back to Ge 14:18-22. (See also Deu 32:8; 2Sa 22:14.)

Jesus was called “Son of the Most High” (Mark 5:7; Luke 1:32, Luke 1:35; Luke 8:28).


Psalm 8

Psa 8:1-9 ESV1 To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of

David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever

passes along the paths of the seas.9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the

earth!

Psa 8:1-9 ISV1 To the Director: On a stringed instrument. A Davidic Psalm.

LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! You set your glory above the heavens!

2 Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have established strength on account of your adversaries, in order to silence the enemy and vengeful foe.

3 When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you established-


4 what is man that you take notice of him, or the son of man that you pay attention to him?

5 You made him a little less than divine, but you crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You gave him dominion over the work of your hands, you put all things under his feet:

7 Sheep and cattle-all of them, wild creatures of the field,8 birds in the sky, fish in the sea-whatever moves through

the currents of the oceans.9 LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the

earth!


The Book of Psalms: Psalm 8[To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.]A beautiful expression of praise to God,

David stands amazed that the God of creation, the great and glorious Jehovah, would pay any attention to frail people on earth.

David understands that God glorifies Himself in the heavens, but how can He glorify Himself on earth through such weak, sinful people?

“What is man?” is ultimately answered by Jesus Christ, the “last Adam,” through whom we regain our lost dominion.

As His faithful worship and serve Him (Malt 5:13-16), they glorify His name on earth (Ps 8:1, 9) and help to defeat His enemies (Ps 8:2).

That God, in His remarkable condescension, should focus attention on us is proof of our dignity as creatures made in the image of God.


The grandeur of men and women is found only there.

Apart from knowing God, we have no understanding of who we are or what we are to do in this great Universe.

This is one of the “Nature” Psalms (Ps 8, 19, 29, 65, 104).

It is also a Messianic Psalm (Ps 2, 8, 16, 22, 23, 24, 40, 41, 45, 68, 69, 87, 89, 102, 110, 118, et al.) and is quoted as such in Mt 21:16; Heb 2:6-8; 1 Cor 15:27; and Eph 1:22.

Gittith: a winepress. (see Ps 81; 84).Possibly a reference to a vintage tune.

God Created Us (Ps 8:1-2, 5a).

1] O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

[LORD our Lord] Hebrew: Jehovah (H3068) ’Adonay (H136), Jehovah our Sovereign, Director, Ruler, Judge, and Supporter.

The psalm begins and ends with this phrase (Psa_8:1, Psa_8:9).

“our Lord” There is but one God, all people were created by God, and the Jewish people in particular are “his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Ps 100:3).

They can call Him “our Lord.” (Ps 135:5; 147:5; Neh. 10:29.)

in all the earth Yet Jehovah was not a “tribal god” who belonged only to Israel, for He wanted His name (character, reputation) to be known “in all the earth” (Ps 66:1; 83:18; Ex. 9:14, 16; Josh. 3:11).

[excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens] God’s name is excellent in all the earth and His glory is higher than the heavens.

The glory of God dwelt with Israel in the tabernacle and temple, and it was especially revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ (John 1:14).


Wicked people crucified “the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8), but He was raised from the dead and has returned to heaven in honor and great glory (Phil. 2:5-11).

Not only has the Lord set His glory “above the heavens” (beyond the earth’s atmosphere), but He has also deigned to share His glory with His creatures on earth.

2] Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

David moved from God’s transcendence to His immanence.

Jehovah is so great that He can entrust His praise to infants and children and still not be robbed of glory!

Jesus quoted this verse after He cleansed the temple (Malt 21:16).

Words are only breath and formed sounds, two very weak things.

Yet words of praise even from sucklings (not yet weaned) and babes (children able to play in the streets) can defeat God’s enemies!

The cry of baby Moses ultimately brought Egypt to her knees, and

The birth of Samuel was used by God to save Israel and bring David to the throne.

It was the birth of Jesus that brought salvation to this world.

God has used the weak and helpless to praise Him and help defeat His enemies (1 Cor. 1:27).

David himself was but a youth when he silenced Goliath and defeated him (1 Sam. 17:33, 42-43), and he brought great glory to the name of the Lord (Ps 17:45-47).

Fifteen Reasons God Chooses Babes1. That God might use them to defeat the enemy and the avenger

by preaching and by testimony (Psa_8:2; Rom_1:16; 1Co_1:18-24; 1Co_2:1-4).


2. That He through perfected praise might honor Himself and quiet the avenger (Mat_21:15-16).

3. That truth in all its purity and simplicity might be revealed to men (Mat_11:25-27).

4. That growth might be experienced through the sincere milk of the Word (1Pe_2:1-2; Heb_5:11-14).

5. That souls might be saved through the foolishness or simplicity of preaching (1Co_1:18-24).

6. That God may bring to nothing the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the prudent (1Co_1:19).

7. That the wisdom of the world might be exposed as foolishness (1Co_1:20).

8. That God’s least wisdom might be shown to excel man’s greatest (1Co_1:25).

9. That His least power might be manifested to be greater than man’s strength (1Co_1:25).

10. That the wise may be confounded (1Co_1:27).11. That the mighty man may be humbled (1Co_1:27).12. That the things which are might become as nothing

(1Co_1:28).13. That God’s plan of choosing the base and despised of the

world in preference to the high and honored might be known to all (1Co_1:28).

14. That no flesh should glory in God’s presence (1Co_1:29-31).15. That the wisdom and power of God might be demonstrated in

simple believers before both men and angels (1Co_1:30-31; 1Co_4:9-14; Eph_3:8-11).

God didn’t need us, yet He created us and prepared a wonderful world for us.

Our purpose is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever,” and if we leave God out of our lives, we miss life’s greatest opportunity.

3] When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;


God spoke the worlds into existence, but David saw creation as coming from God’s fingers (Ps 8:3; see Ex. 8:19) and hands (Ps 8:6), the work of a Master Craftsman.

It was evil for the Jews to worship the heavenly host (Ex. 20:4- 6; Deut. 4:15-1 9; 17:2-7), but they understood that creation was proof of a caring Creator who prepared the world for the enjoyment and employment of mankind.

[ordained] Hebrew: yacad (H3245), to lay a foundation, appoint (Psa_8:2; 1Ch_9:22).

[ordained] Hebrew: kuwn (H3559), to form, prepare, establish. God has made their respective spheres-space to matter and matter to space-all adjusted in number, weight and measure.

God Cares for Us (Ps 8:3-4).

4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

The sun rules the day, and its blinding light usually blots out anything else we might see in the heavens.

But at night, we are overwhelmed by the display of beauty from the moon, stars, planets, and galaxies.

What we know today about the size of the Universe makes the earth and its inhabitants look even more insignificant than they appeared in David’s day.

Our knowledge of light-years and the reaches of outer space gives us even more reason for appreciating our insignificance in the solar system and God’s wonderful concern for us.

In His great love, the Lord chose the earth for Himself (Ps. 24:1) and created us in His own image. “

What is man that you are mindful of him is answered in the Last Adam. [Enosh & Adomah: weak & earth-born.]

[man] Man” in verse 4 is enosh, “weak man,” and “son of man” is “son of adamah-Son of the earth, earth-born” (Gen. 2:7).


Both titles emphasize the weakness and frailty of humankind.

[the son of man] "Son of man" has no definite article in Hebrew.

The phrase occurs 3 times before this (Num_23:19; Job_25:6; Job_35:8).

In all, it occurs in singular 197 times and plural 23 times (sons of men).

Occurs in Psalms here; Psa_80:17; Psa_144:3; Psa_146:3.

See notes on Eze_2:1; Joh_1:51.

Here the title relates to man’s dominion of the earth.

God completed His creation before He made Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, so everything was ready for them, to meet their every need.

[mindful of him] "Mindful" comes from the Hebrew: zakar (H2142), to mark or remember continually, as perpetual incense rising; to set the heart upon; to keep continually in merciful view.

Translated mindful (Psa_8:4; Psa_111:5; Psa_115:12; 1Ch_16:15; Neh_9:17; Isa_17:10);

remember 172 times; and remembrance 13 times.

That God should remember in mercy such miserable beings is a great condescension; that He should actually visit them by assuming their own nature, by dwelling among them, and by giving His life a ransom for them, is mercy and love indescribable and divine.

God is mindful of us (“remembers,” see Gen. 8:1; 19:29; 30:22) and cares for us (“visits,” see Job 10:12).

[visitest him]Seven Ways God Visits Man1. By coming Himself (Dan_7:9-14)2. By sending Christ (Isa_48:16; Joh_3:16)3. By sending the Holy Spirit (Joh_16:7)4. By sending angels (Heb_1:14)


5. By prophets (Act_3:21; Heb_1:1)6. By dreams and visions (Dan_2:28; Dan_4:1-7; Dan_7:1;

Dan_8:1; etc.)7. By His Word (2Ti_3:16; Heb_4:12)

God Crowns Us (God Crowns Us (God Crowns Us (Ps 8:5-9).

5] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

God pays attention to us, “frail creatures of dust” because He has made us in His own image and we are special!

Instead of humans being “a little higher than animals,” as science believes, they are actually “a little lower than God.”

[lower] Hebrew: chacer (H2637), to lack.

Translated lower (Psa_8:5); lack (Gen_18:28; Exo_16:18; Deu_2:7; Deu_8:9; Ecc_9:8); fail (1Ki_17:14; Isa_32:6; Isa_51:14); decreased (Gen_8:5); and want (Psa_23:1; Psa_34:10; Deu_15:8; Pro_13:25; Son_7:2; Jer_44:18; Eze_4:17).

[angels] Hebrew: ’Elohiym (H430), Gods, and is so translated 219 times.

The word is used in Psa_82:1, Psa_82:6; Psa_97:7; Exo_22:9 of judges who represent God and act in His stead among men (Rom_13:1-6; Joh_10:34-35) and of angelic creatures (Psa_8:5, Heb. 2:7), but here it definitely means “God.”

The Lord crowned Adam and Eve and gave them dominion over the other creatures (Gen. 1:26-27).

We are coregents of creation with the Lord!

The angels are servants (Heb. 1:14),

We are kings, and one day, all who have trusted Christ will be


like Him (1 John 3:1-3; Rom. 8:29).

People today live more like slaves than rulers, so why aren’t we living like kings?

Our first parents sinned and lost their crowns, forfeiting that glorious dominion.

According to Romans 5, sin is reigning in our world (Ro 5:21), and death is also reigning (Ro 5:14, 17), but Jesus Christ has regained the dominion for us and will one day share it with us when He reigns in His kingdom (Heb. 2:6-8).

6] Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7] All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8] The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

When Jesus ministered here on earth, He exercised the dominion that Adam lost, for He ruled over the beasts (Mark 1:13; 11:1-7), the fowl (Luke 22:34), and the fish (Luke 5:4-7; Matt. 17:24-27; John 21:1-6).

Today He is on the throne in heaven and all things are “under his feet” (1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22; Heb. 2:8).

put all things under his feet means “completely subjected to Him” (Ps 47:2-3; Josh. 10:24).

Through the exalted Christ, God’s grace is reigning today (Rom. 5:21) so that God’s children may “reign in life” through Jesus Christ (Ro 5:17).

He has made us “kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev.


1:6).

By faith, “we see Jesus” (Heb. 2:8-9), crowned in heaven, and that assures us that one day we will reign with Him and receive our crowns (Rev. 20:1-6).

Man’s DominionDominion was lost by the first Adam; regained by the Last Adam!

This passage places man at the head of all God’s works

The heavens, including the sun, moon, and stars (Psa_8:3);

[moon and the stars] David omits the sun here, indicating his meditation was at night. The sun he describes in Psa_19:1-6Had he considered the heavens in the day all he could have seen would be the sun and sky (maybe the moon – the moon dominates the night sky.

He introduced the moon and stars here because of their immense variety and splendor..and the earth, including all living things (Psa_8:7-8).

It makes man next to God in position and power over all creations.

Adam was originally made higher than the angels, but by sin he was brought very low and made subject to death.

Now, man in his lessened estate (short of God’s glory, Rom_3:23) is below angels.

Christ Himself was made lower for a time to take man’s low place and to raise him again higher than angels, as he was originally.

Christ has been exalted to a place higher than angels or any other being except the Father (Eph_1:21-23; Php_2:9-11; 1Pe_3:22).

Redeemed man is to be raised up to that exalted position with Him (Rom_8:17-18; Eph_2:6-7; Eph_3:8-11; 2Ti_2:12; Heb_2:5-11; Rev_1:6; Rev_5:10; Rev_22:4-6).

The Works of God’s Hands[hands] אצבע 'etsba‛ H676 finger, toe


from the same as H6648 (in the sense of grasping)

The word finger is used twice of God’s power (Exo_8:19; Luk_11:20).

Genesis 1 says God spoke and created new things from nothing, God formed / shaped what He had created, and that God arranged and established the processes and interrelationships of His creation.

The heavens belong to God and are the work of His fingers.

The word in the plural is always used in a literal sense.

Here it is used in the same sense as the word hands which God used to form all things out of material which He created or brought into existence by His Word (Psa_8:6).

God ’s Hands Have Formed: 1. The earth (Psa_8:3, Psa_8:6; Psa_90:2; Psa_95:5)2. The heavens (Psa_8:3; Psa_19:1; Psa_102:25)3. The planets (Psa_8:3; Isa_40:26; Isa_45:12; Isa_48:13;

2Ki_23:5; Heb_1:10)4. All creatures (Gen_2:7-25; Job_26:13; Rom_9:20;

1Ti_2:13)5. All things (Pro_26:10)

[all things under his feet] Everything lost in the fall will be restored to man’s dominion in the final restitution of all things (see notes, Heb_2:5-11).

Seven things listed here:1. The heavens, the work of Thy fingers (Psa_8:3)2. The moon and stars3. The earth, the work of Thy hands (Psa_8:6;

Psa_102:25; Psa_104:5)4. All sheep and oxen (Psa_8:7)5. The beasts of the field6. The fowl of the air (Psa_8:8)7. The fish and all that live in the seas

The paths of the sea Matthew Fontaine Maury was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in 1806.


An avid Bible reader, he was struck by the reference in Psalm 8 to “the paths of the seas (Ps 8:8).”

He also noticed that Isaiah wrote of a “path through the mighty waters (Isa 43:16).”

He entered the Navy in 1825 as a midshipman.

By 1842 he was placed in charge of the Depot of Charts and Instruments, out of which grew the U.S. Naval Observatory and Hydrographic Office.

To gather information on maritime winds and currents, Maury distributed to ship captains specially prepared logbooks from which he compiled pilot charts, enabling him to shorten the time of sea voyages.

In 1848 he published maps of the main wind fields of the Earth. Maury was ultimately able to produce charts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, a profile of the Atlantic seabed, and the first modern oceanographic text.

He is internationally recognized as the “Father of Oceanography,” and Maury Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy is named in his honor.

All because of a remez, a hint of something deeper, in Ps 8:8

9] O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!To summarize: God the Father created us to be kings, but the disobedience of our first parents robbed us of our crowns.

God the Son came to earth and redeemed us to be kings

Rev 1:5-6 NKJV and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our


sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Today the Holy Spirit of God can empower us to “reign in life by one, Jesus Christ”

Rom 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

When you crown Jesus Christ Lord of all, you are a sovereign and not a slave, a victor and not a victim.

Hebrews 1:13-14 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Hebrews 2:6-9 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

1 Corinthians 15:27-28 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then


shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all

Ephesians 1:20-23 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.


The Doctrine of ManThe word man is found 2737 times in Scripture. Several Hebrew and Greek words are translated man with various meanings, including Adam, male, husband, mortal, mighty man, and a human being.

1. Man ’s creation: (1) Inner man created (Gen_1:26-27; Gen_5:1-2).(2) Body formed of dust (Gen_2:7; Gen_3:19).(3) Made in God’s own bodily image.

Hebrew: tselem (H6754), shape, figure, physical form (Gen_1:26, Gen_1:27; Gen_5:3; Gen_9:6; Num_33:52; 1Sa_6:5, 1Sa_6:11; 2Ki_11:18; 2Ch_23:17; Psa_73:20; Eze_7:20; Eze_16:17; Eze_23:14; Amo_5:26).

(4) Made in God’s own bodily likeness. Hebrew: demuwth (H1823), model, shape, similitude, resemblance (Gen_1:26; Gen_5:1, Gen_5:3; Isa_40:18; Eze_1:5, Eze_1:10, Eze_1:13, Eze_1:16, Eze_1:22, Eze_1:26, Eze_1:28; Eze_8:2; Eze_10:1, Eze_10:10, Eze_10:21-22). The Greek: eikon (G1504) confirms the idea of physical image and likeness (Mat_22:20; Rom_1:23; 1Co_11:7; 1Co_15:49; 2Co_4:4; Col_1:15; Heb_10:1; Rev_13:14-15; Rev_14:9, Rev_14:11; Rev_15:2; Rev_16:2; Rev_19:20; Rev_20:4).(A) Neither Deu_4:15 nor any other scripture does away

with the physical form of God. Just because Israel did not see any form when God spoke is no proof that He is bodiless and without form any more than someone else who might be heard and whose body is not seen.

Many in Israel did see God’s body (Gen_18:1-33; Gen_32:24-30; Exo_24:9-11; Jos_5:13-15; Jdg_6:11-23; Jdg_13:3-23; 1Ch_21:16-17; Job_42:5; Isa_6:1-13; Eze_1:26; Dan_7:9-14;


Dan_10:5-6; Act_7:56-59; Rev_4:2-5; Rev_5:1-7; etc.) See Anthropomorphism.

(B) There is no question that man was made in the likeness of God in soul and spirit (Eph_4:22-24; Col_3:10), but this does not do away with the bodily image and likeness of God, as in all the above passages.

All angels and spirit beings have bodies as well as souls and spirits.

(C) Even resurrected human bodies are called spiritual (1Co_15:42-44), yet they will also be material (Luk_24:39; Php_3:21).

Misunderstanding of this subject comes from not knowing what spirits are like. See The Spirit World.

(5) The body is wonderfully made (Psa_139:14). It consists of various chemicals-iron, sugar, salt, carbon, iodine, phosphorus, lime, calcium, and others. The body has:

263 bones; 600 muscles; 970 miles of blood vessels; 400 cups on the tongue for taste; 20,000 hairs in the ears to tune in to all sounds; 40 pounds of jaw pressure; 10,000,000 nerves and branches; 3,500 sweat tubes to each square inch of skin (or 40

miles long);20,000,000 mouths that suck food as it goes through

the intestines; 600,000,000 air cells to the lungs that inhale 2,400 gallons of air daily; and a communication network that relates to the brain

instantly any known sound, taste, sight, touch or smell.

The heart beats 4,200 times an hour and pumps 12 tons of blood daily.

(6) Man’s soul is the seat of the emotions, passions, desires, appetites, and all feelings.


(7) Man’s spirit is the seat of the intellect, will, and conscience. It is capable of all divine powers only in a lesser degree. See Spirit.

(8) The inner man, consisting of soul and spirit, is eternal. See note, 1Pe_3:4.

(9) Man was made a little lower than angels (Psa_8:5; Heb_2:7).

(10) He was created sinless, but capable of sin (Gen_2:17; Rom_5:12-21; 1Jn_3:4).

(11) He was made a threefold being-body, soul, and spirit (1Th_5:23; Heb_4:12).

(12) His flesh differs from all other creatures (1Co_15:39).(13) Both male and female are represented in man (Gen_1:26-

28; Gen_5:2; Mat_19:4).(14) Material and spiritual natures of man are clearly

distinguished in Scripture, as follows:(A) Soul and spirit not dust (Gen_2:7).(B) Spirit leaves body at death (Jas_2:26; Luk_8:49-56;

Luk_16:22; Luk_23:43; Act_5:10; 2Co_5:8; 2Co_12:3-4; Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:23; 2Pe_1:13-15; Rev_6:9-11; 1Ki_17:20-22; Job_14:10; 2Sa_12:19-23; Ecc_12:7).

(C) Soul and spirit are in man’s body, but are not the material of the body (Job_14:22; Job_32:8; Pro_20:27; Zec_12:1; 1Co_2:11; 1Co_7:34).

(D) The body can be killed but not the soul (Mat_10:28; Luk_12:5).

(E) The spirit can be willing; the flesh powerless to execute (Mat_26:38-41).

(F) Both flesh and spirit are to glorify God (1Co_6:20).(G) Both flesh and spirit can be filthy or holy (2Co_7:1).(H) The inner man is eternal; the body mortal (2Co_4:16-

18).(I) The inner man is fully conscious after leaving the body

(Mat_10:28; Mat_17:3; Luk_16:19-31; Luk_20:38;


Joh_11:25-26; Act_2:27; Eph_3:15; Eph_4:8-10; 2Co_5:8; 2Co_12:1-4; Php_1:21-24; Heb_2:14-15; Heb_12:23; note, 1Pe_3:4; Rev_6:9-11).

(J) The spirit and soul are not the breath (Job_34:14-15). To prove this try substituting breath for spirit and soul in scriptures and see how ridiculous it is. Psa_19:7; Psa_106:15; Luk_12:19; Act_23:8-9; Rom_2:29; 2Co_2:11; 2Co_5:5; 2Co_6:1-18 :20; 2Co_7:1; Gal_5:25; 1Th_5:23; Heb_4:12; Heb_10:38-39; Rev_6:9-11.

(K) Souls can be dead while the bodies are alive (Mat_8:22; Eph_2:1-9; 1Ti_5:6; Rev_3:1).

(L) Souls of the righteous have eternal life even after the body dies (Joh_3:16; Joh_5:24; Joh_6:47, Joh_6:53, Joh_6:63; Joh_11:25-26; Joh_14:19).

(M) Souls of the wicked are also conscious after the body dies.

(N) Resurrection of the dead refers to the bodies coming to life again, not the souls (Dan_12:2; Joh_5:28-29; 1Co_15:35-54; Rev_20:11-15).

(O) Souls of the righteous go to heaven at death (2Co_5:8; Eph_3:14-15; Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:23; Rev_6:9-11).

Their bodies go to graves (Dan_12:2; Joh_5:28-29).(P) Souls of the wicked go to hell (sheol, paradise) while the

bodies go to the grave (Isa_14:9; Luk_16:19-31; Rev_20:11-15).

(Q) The body is the house of the inner man (Job_4:19; Job_14:22; Job_32:8; Zec_12:1; 1Co_2:11; 2Co_5:1-8; Php_1:21-24; 2Pe_1:13-15). The soul and spirit design; the body executes.

Man through his body has consciousness of the material world;

through the soul, self-consciousness (the connection between material and spirit worlds); and

through the spirit, consciousness of God.


(R) Man has a body but he is not just a body; a soul but he is not just a soul; and a spirit but he is not just a spirit being (1Th_5:23).

(S) Man has a will, making him in every sense a free moral agent and a responsible being (Joh_3:16; Joh_7:17; Rom_7:18; 1Co_7:36-37; 1Co_9:17; 2Pe_1:21; Rev_22:17).

(T) The body can be put off and put on again (2Co_5:1-8; 2Pe_1:14).

This requires a separate inner man from the body itself.

(U) Souls are now immortal (note, 1Pe_3:4); bodies are not.

2. Man on probation:(1) Given dominion over God’s creation including the earth and

other planets (Gen_1:26-28; Psa_8:3-8; Psa_72:8)(2) Commanded to multiply and replenish the earth (Gen_1:26-

28; cp. Gen_9:1)(3) Given responsibility to tend the garden and to keep out all

enemies (note, Gen_2:15)(4) Given full liberty but with one restriction (Gen_2:16-17;

Gen_3:1-3)(5) Given eternal life and glory on condition that he not sin

(Gen_2:16-17; Rom_3:23)

3. The fall of man ( Gen_3:1-24 ): (1) Man was created sinless, but capable of sin or transgression

of law (Gen_2:16-17; 1Jn_3:4).(2) Tempted by Satan through the serpent (Gen_3:1-8;

2Co_11:1-3).

(3) Eve was deceived to commit sin, not Adam (Gen_3:6; 1Ti_2:14).

(4) Sin was a voluntary act of the will, but instigated from without (Rom_5:12-21).

There was no sin in human nature until man chose to sin.


Inbred sin is the spirit and nature of the devil working in men (note, 2Co_5:17).

(5) Sin came through a denial of the divine will and the elevation of the will of man over the will of God (Gen_2:16-17).

(6) Sin came through unbelief of God’s Word (Gen_2:16-17; Gen_3:4-6).

(7) Sin came through rebellion against God’s Word (Gen_2:16-17; Gen_3:1-24;1-8).

4. Effects of the fall -man became: (1) Separated from God (Isa_59:2)(2) Depraved in nature (Eph_2:1-3)(3) Ignorant and blind (Eph_4:18)(4) Evil in conscience (Heb_10:22)(5) Corrupt and deceitful in heart (Jer_17:9; Mar_7:19-21)(6) Obstinate and rebellious (Act_7:51; Rom_8:7; Isa_28:14)(7) Evil in thoughts (Gen_6:5)(8) Lustful and ungodly (Joh_8:44; Rom_7:5-23; 1Co_6:9;

Gal_5:19)(9) Dominated by Satan (Joh_8:34, Joh_8:44; Eph_2:2;

1Jn_3:8)(10) Servants of sin (Joh_8:34; Rom_1:18-32; Rom_6:16-23)(11) Dead in sin (Eph_2:1-9)(12) Doomed to eternal hell without God or hope (Psa_9:17;

Mat_25:46; Rom_6:23; Eph_2:12; Rev_14:9-11; Rev_20:11-15)

(13) Short of God’s glory (Rom_3:23)(14) Subject to suffering and death (Gen_3:17-19; Rom_8:21-

23)(15) Cursed by God to hard labor (Gen_3:11-24)(16) Mortal, imperfect, and weak (Job_4:17-21; Psa_39:4-5;

Psa_103:14-15; Mat_6:27; Gal_6:3)(17) Universally sinful (Rom_3:9-23)(18) Sinners by birth and practice (Psa_51:5; Rom_5:12-21;

Eph_2:1-3)(19) Children of the devil (Mat_13:38; Joh_8:44; 1Jn_3:8-10;

1Jn_5:19)(20) Subject to sickness, disease, pain, and all present evils of

earth (Exo_15:26; Deu_28:15-68; Joh_10:10; Act_10:38;


Rev_21:3-7; Rev_22:3)(21) Short-lived. Life is compared to:

(A) A pilgrimage (Gen_47:9)(B) Water spilled on the ground (2Sa_14:14)(C) Wind (Job_7:7)(D) A passing cloud (Job_7:9)(E) A weaver’s shuttle (Job_7:6)(F) A shadow (Job_14:2; Psa_144:4)(G) Flowers that fade away (Job_14:2; Psa_103:15;

Isa_40:6-8; Jas_1:10; 1Pe_1:24; cp. note, Psa_90:5)(H) Grass that dies (Psa_37:2; Psa_90:5-6; 1Pe_1:24)(I) Green herbs that wither (Psa_37:2)(J) Nothing (Psa_39:5)(K) A dream (Psa_73:20)(L) Sleep that is soon over (Psa_90:5)(M) Vanity (Psa_144:4)(N) A vapor (Jas_4:14)

All this will end in the New Earth (Rev_21:3-7; Rev_22:3-5).

Brevity of life can be lengthened by obedience and faith. There is no set day for man to die (Exo_20:12; Psa_91:1-16; Pro_3:16; Pro_9:11; 1Co_11:30; Eph_6:2; 1Pe_3:10-11).

We cannot extend our earthly lives beyond God’s established timing without His allowing it, We can shorten it by foolishness and disobedience.

5. God ’s appraisal of man: (1) God has given the revelation of Himself, His creation, and

His plan for man, so that man might know his origin, present responsibility, and destiny. The Bible is the record of this revelation (2Ti_3:16; Heb_1:1; Heb_4:12).

(2) God appraises man as the highest of creation. Man is worth:

(A) Making him lord of creation (Gen_1:26-31; Psa_8:3-8).(B) All the millenniums of effort to redeem him (Heb_1:1-3;

2Pe_3:9).(C) More than the whole world (Mar_8:36).(D) Giving of God’s only begotten Son to redeem him

(Joh_3:16; Rev_22:17).


(E) Restoring to his original dominion as eternal ruler of creation (Dan_7:18, Dan_7:27; Rev_5:10; Rev_22:4-5).

(F) Trusting with eternal authority and life to help God administer the affairs of the Universe (Rom_8:17-18; Rev_2:27-28; Rev_5:10; Rev_22:4-5).

(G) Placing him on an equal basis with Jesus Christ in redemption-as to righteousness (1Jn_3:7), provision by promise (1Co_3:22-23; 2Co_1:20; Heb_8:6), nature (2Pe_1:4), works (Joh_14:12), inheritance (Rom_8:17), sufferings and future glory (Mat_10:24-25; Rom_8:18; 2Ti_2:12; 1Pe_2:21; 1Pe_4:1; Rev_2:26-27; Rev_5:10; Rev_22:4-5).

(H) Making provision for body, soul, and spirit, here and hereafter. See New Testament Promises.

6. Man ’s part in redemption: (1) Man is commanded to repent and obey the gospel

(Mar_1:15; Mar_16:15-16; Luk_13:3, Luk_13:5). See New Testament Commands.

(2) Man has a part in the new birth, salvation, the continuation of Christian life, works, and conformity to the gospel (Col_2:6-7; 2Pe_1:4-10; 2Pe_3:18).

7. Man ’s destiny: (1) Man charts his own destiny by his conformity or

nonconformity to the gospel (Mar_16:15-16; Luk_13:3, Luk_13:5).

(2) Eternal life with God in heaven and on earth is the destiny of those who conform to truth (Joh_14:1-3; 1Th_4:13-18; Rev_5:10; Rev_22:4-5).

(3) Eternal hell and punishment is the destiny of those who refuse to obey truth (see Hell; Isa_66:22-24; Mat_25:41, Mat_25:46; Mar_9:43-49; Luk_12:5, note; Rev_14:9-11; Rev_20:11-15).


Psalm 9Psa 9:1-20 ISV1 To the Director: Accompanied by female voices. A Davidic

Psalm. I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, I will declare all your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praises to your name, Most High!

3 When my enemies turn back, they will stumble and perish before you.

4 For you have brought about justice for me and my cause; you sit on the throne judging righteously.

5 You rebuked the nations, you destroyed the wicked, you wiped out their name forever and ever.

6 The enemy has perished, reduced to ruins forever. You uprooted their cities, the very memory of them vanished.

7 But the LORD sits on his throne forever; his throne is established for judgment.

8 He will judge the world righteously and make just decisions for the people.

9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of distress.

10 Those who know your name will trust you, for you have not forsaken those who seek you, LORD.

11 Sing praises to the LORD who dwells in Zion; declare his mighty deeds among the peoples.

12 As an avenger of blood, he remembers them; he has not forgotten the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, LORD, take note of my affliction, because of those who hate me. You snatch me away from the gates of death,

14 so I may declare everything for which you should be praised in the gates of the daughter of Zion, so I will rejoice in your deliverance.


15 The nations have sunk down into the pit they made, their feet are ensnared in the trap they set.

16 The LORD has made himself known, executing judgment. The wicked are ensnared by what their hands have made. Interlude.

17 The wicked will turn back to where the dead are-all the nations that have forgotten God.

18 For he will not always overlook the plight of the poor, nor will the hope of the afflicted perish forever.

19 Rise up, LORD, do not let man prevail! The nations will be judged in your presence.

20 Make them afraid, LORD, Let the nations know that they are only human. Interlude.

Psa 9:1-20 ESV1 To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of

David. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.

4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,

8 and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold


in times of trouble.10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for

you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.11 Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell

among the peoples his deeds!12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not

forget the cry of the afflicted.13 Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those

who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.

15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.

16 The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

19 Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!

20 Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah.

Psa Scripture Probable Occasion B.C.9 1Sa 17:4,

1Ch 16:43On the victory over Goliath 1063

The emphasis is on joyful praise (Ps 9:1-2, 11, 14), especially for God’s care of Israel and His righteous judgment on the nations that attacked His people.


You find the theme of judgment and justice in verses Ps 9:4, 7-8, 16, and 19-20; and note the mention of the throne of God (Ps 9:4, 7, 11 NIV). (For a parallel passage, see Isa. 25:1-5.)

The Book of Psalms: Psalm 9[To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.]Muth-labben: (muth-le beyn) death to the one coming between (1 Sam 17:4, 23: Goliath “man between two hosts” = “champion”).

Some believe it should be at end of Psalm 8, not at the beginning of Psalm 9.

Muth-labben means “death of a son,” but we don’t know how it relates to the psalm.

Perhaps it was the name of a familiar melody to which the psalm was to be sung.

Ever since the Lord spoke the words recorded in Genesis 3:15 and 12:1-3, there has been a war going on between the forces of Satan and the forces of God, and the focus has been on the nation of Israel. (See Rev. 12.)

That battle goes on today.

Personal Praise: God Saves the King (Ps 9:1-8).

1] I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

[whole heart] This is the only way to praise and worship God. It is true worship in spirit and in truth (Joh_4:24).

F our things to do with the whole heart: 1. Return to God (Jer_24:7)2. Seek God (Ps 119:2, Ps 119:10, Ps 119:58, Ps 119:145)3. Obey (Psa_119:34, Psa_119:69)4. Praise (Psa_9:1; Psa_111:1)

2] I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.


David offers wholehearted praise to the Lord (Matt. 15:8) for delivering him and his army from the enemy nations that attacked Israel.

His aim was to honor the Lord, not to glorify himself.

His joy was in the Lord, not just in the great victory that he had been given (Phil. 4:4),

He wanted to tell everybody about God’s wonderful works. (See Ps 9:14; 103:1-2; 117:1; 138:1; 1 Peter 2:9; and Eph. 2:7.)

“God Most High” is El Elyon (Ps 7:17; 18:13; 21:7).

This was the name that Abraham honored after God gave him victory over the kings (Gen. 14).

Fourfold vow of David (Psa_9:1-2):1. I will praise You wholeheartedly.2. I will declare Your marvelous works.3. I will be glad and rejoice in You.4. I will sing praise to Your name.

Ten Acts of God1. Turned back enemies (Psa_9:3)2. Destroyed enemies3. Vindicated the cause of right (Psa_9:4)4. Judged righteously5. Rebuked the heathen (Psa_9:5)6. Destroyed the wicked7. Caused their memory to perish8. Destroyed destroyers (Psa_9:6)9. Destroyed cities10. Destroyed monuments of the wicked

3] When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

4] For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

David describes the victory in Ps 9:3-6, verses that should be read in the past tense: “Because my enemies were turned back...“


Note the repeated “You have” (or “Thou hast”) in verses 4-6. God turned the enemy back, and in their retreat, they stumbled and perished before the Lord.

The Lord did this to maintain the right of David to be king of Israel and accomplish God’s purposes in this world.

God’s rebuke is an expression of His anger (Ps 2:5; 76:6).

5] Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

6] O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

To “blot out” a name meant to destroy the person, place, or nation completely (Ex 17:14; Deut 25:19; 1 Sam 15; Cf. Deut 9:14; 25:19; 29:20).

7] But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

Justice and judgment: parallel passage, Isaiah 25:1-5.

In contrast to the wiping out of the nations, the Lord and His great name stand forever.

His throne cannot be overthrown.

8] And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

[he shall judge the world in righteousness] Paul quotes verse 8 on Mars Hill in Athens: Acts 17:31 Rev_20:11-15.. [he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness] This refers to the righteous reign of God and Christ over all nations (Isa_9:6-7; Dan_2:44-45; Dan_7:13-14, Dan_7:18-27; Zec_14:1-21; Rev_11:15; Rev_20:4-10).

In the victory God gave David, the king saw a picture of the final judgment and victory when God will judge the world,

National Praise: God Shelters the People (Ps 9:9-20).


The focus now centers on the people of the land, whom David calls the oppressed (Ps 9:9), the humble (“afflicted,” Ps 9:12 NIV), and the needy and the poor (Ps 9:18).

These are the faithful worshippers of the Lord who have been persecuted, abused, and exploited by local rulers for being true to the Lord. (See Ps 9:10:17; 25:16; 40:17; 102:1; Zeph. 2:3; 3:12-13.)

David praises the Lord for His faithfulness in caring for His sheep.

9] The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Times of trouble = “times of extremity.”

The refuge-God will not forsake them (Ps 9:9-10). The first word refuge means “a high safe place” and the second refuge, “a stronghold.”

During his years of exile, David found the wilderness strongholds to be places of safety, but he knew that the Lord was the safest refuge (Ps 46:1).

The phrase “times of trouble” means literally “times of extremity” (see Ps 10:1; 27:5; 37:39; 41:1; 73:5; 107:6, 13, 19, 26, 28).

10] And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

To “know God’s name” or “love God’s name” means to trust Him and be saved (Ps 5:11; 69:36; 91:14; 119:132; 1 Sam. 2:12).

God forsook His own Son (Matt. 27:46) that He might never forsake His own people.

The avenger-God will not fail them (Ps 9:11-17).

11] Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

David calls upon the suffering remnant to sing praises to God because He is on their side and fights their battles.


He will not fail to hear their cries and execute justice on their behalf.

Two commands:1. Sing praises to God who dwells in Zion.2. Declare His deeds among the people.

In the Millennium the name of the Lord will be praised from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same (Isa_2:2-4; Zec_14:16-21; Mal_1:11).

[dwelleth in Zion] God is not yet dwelling in Zion, but He will be physically visible in Zion from time of the second coming of Christ to eternity (Isa_2:2-4; Isa_52:7; Eze_43:7; Eze_48:35; Zec_14:9, Zec_14:16-21; Luk_1:32-33; Rev_11:15; Rev_19:11-21).

[declare among the people his doings] The greatest missionary program in history will be carried out by redeemed and restored

Israel in the Millennium (Isa_2:2-4; Zec_8:23).

The knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters do the seas (Isa_11:9).

Israel’s calling was to bear witness to the nations that Jehovah is the only true and living God (Ps 18:49; 44:11; 57:9; 106:27; Isa. 42:6; 49:6).

The ark was now in Jerusalem, so Jehovah was on His throne in Israel.

12] When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

“Inquisition for blood” refers to the official investigation of murder, to see who was guilty of the crime, symbolized by having blood on the house (Deut. 22:8), the hands (Ezek. 3:17-21; 33:1-9), or the head (Acts 18:6). (See Gen. 9:5; 10:13.)

God will eventually avenge all the righteous and punish oppressors and criminals.


13] Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

There was no police force in Israel, but a near kinsman could avenge the murder of a family member.

This is why God assigned the six “cities of refuge” to provide havens for people who accidentally killed someone (Num. 35).

But when God is the avenger, He has all the evidence He needs to find and punish rebellious sinners.

Six Requests of David1. Have mercy upon me (Psa_9:13).2. Consider my trouble.3. Arise, O Lord (Psa_9:19).4. Let not man prevail.5. Let the heathen be judged.6. Put them in fear (Psa_9:20).

Three Reasons for the Six Requests:1. That I may show forth all Your praise to Israel in the gates

(Psa_9:14).2. That I may rejoice in Your salvation.3. That the nations may know that they are but men and not

God (Psa_9:20).

The suffering remnant prays to God in verses 13-17 and asks to be taken from the gates of death (sheol, the world of the dead; see Ps 107:18; Job 17:16; 38:17; Isa. 38:10) and put at the gates of Zion (v. 14). From death to life!

They also ask God to catch their enemies in their own traps (vv. 15-16; see Ps 7:14-16) and finally consign them to the grave (sheol). [the gates of death] Two kinds of gates:

1. The gates of death-figurative of powers that cause death and receive and hold one in the state of the dead (Psa_107:18; Isa_38:10; Heb_2:14-15).

2. The gates of the daughter of Zion (Psa_9:14). These were the gathering places of Israel where instruction of life was given, so that one might escape the gates of death of


Psa_9:13.

14] That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Inquisition for blood: an official investigation for guilt.

15] The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

16] The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

[The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth] Not every accident or calamity to man can be called the judgment of God. However, judgments are always sent after rebels have rejected God’s acts of mercy and longsuffering. He acts in judgment only when it is necessary to carry out His will among men and vindicate His righteous government on earth. When God judges, His purpose of doing so is clearly seen, as in the flood of Noah, the destruction of Sodom, and the seals, trumpets, and vials of Rev_6:1-17; Rev_8:1-13; Rev_9:1-21; Rev_16:1-21.

[the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands] All a wicked person does works against himself.

[Higgaion] This means to meditate. The idea is for man to ponder the end of the wicked as described in Psa_9:15-18.

17] The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

[hell] H7585 אולש / אלש she'ol1) sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit

1a) the underworld1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead

1b1) place of no return1b2) without praise of God1b3) wicked sent there for punishment1b4) righteous not abandoned to it


1b5) of the place of exile (figuratively)1b6) of extreme degradation in sin

The conqueror-God will not forget them (Ps 9:18- 20). 18] For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. The needy and poor will be remembered in the next life, providing they are saved.

Otherwise, they will be forgotten in the next life as well as in this one.

19] Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. “Arise, O LORD” reminds us of the conquering march of Israel (Num. 10:35), when God went before His people to defeat their enemies.

“Man” in verse 19 is enosh, “weak frail man,” a fact that sinners don’t want to admit. (This we will see in Psalm 10.)

One day the Lord will put the rebels in their rightful place, and they will discover that they are only-dust!

[prevail] Hebrew: ‛azaz (H5810), be strong.

Don’t let man become strong, so that he may carry out his designs.

God has had to intervene and will yet do so to prevent man from self-destruction.

This is why He sent the flood (Genesis 6-8), the confusion of tongues (Gen_11:1-32), the destruction of Sodom (Gen_19:1-38), and other judgments.

This is why He will send the judgments of the future tribulation, and why He will send Jesus.

Man will never be able to completely destroy himself by his own inventions, for man, the earth and all that is on it are eternal. See notes on Rev. 20-22.


20] Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. Send them some terror, so as to keep the nations humble and show man how frail and helpless he is without God.


Psalms 9:17Where Are the Dead?The following study is the truth of the Bible on all phases of the subject of the dead and their destiny:

I. Death Defined

The word "death" as applied to man in Scripture means separation, or a cutting off from fulfilling God’s purpose for which he was created. One can logically substitute the word separation for death in every scripture where it is used. It will clarify many passages to do so, as we shall see below.

II. Physical Death

Physical death is the separation of the inner man from the outer man, the separation of the soul and spirit from the body (note, Jas_2:26).

III. Spiritual Death

Spiritual death is separation of man from God because of sin (see Three Kinds of Death in Scripture). One can be alive physically and spiritually dead at the same time (Mat_8:22; Col_2:14; 1Ti_5:6). He can also be dead physically and alive in hell-conscious in the soul and spirit, or the inner man (see pt. 14, The Doctrine of Man

IV. Second Death: Eternal Death

The second death means the second and eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Rev_2:11; Rev_20:6, Rev_20:14; Rev_21:8).

V. Penalty for Sin

The penalty for sin was eternal death or eternal separation from God in hell. Had it been physical death, every man would be automatically justified in the sight of God when he died physically. With the penalty thus paid, God could not punish the sinner any further than physical death. Such death would be the means of justification and the door to heaven; but this could not


be. Some who die physically will be saved and others will be lost, so the penalty could not be physical death.

Neither could it be spiritual death, which is the state of man in sin. If so, then all who commit sin would automatically be justified in the sight of God. This would make committing sin the penalty for committing sin, which is ridiculous. It would mean that all who commit sin would be saved and go to heaven. This would guarantee eternal life for all men, for all have sinned (Rom_3:23). It would make the salvation of souls foolish and unnecessary. Furthermore, it would make the death of Christ unnecessary, for all men were sinners before He came.

The real penalty for sin, therefore, could not be physical or spiritual death, but eternal death or separation from God. Physical death is the result of spiritual and eternal death. Eternal death is the penalty for spiritual death or committing sin (Eph_2:1-9).

VI. Resurrection From Spiritual Death

The resurrection of man from spiritual death (or separation from God) takes place when one is saved from death in trespasses and sins (Eph_2:1-10), when he is born again (Joh_3:1-8), is made a new creature in Christ (2Co_5:17-18), and is fully reconciled to God through Christ (2Co_5:14-21; Eph_2:12-16; Col_1:20-22; Col_2:6-13).

VII. Immortality of the Soul

The soul and spirit (together called the inner man) are immortal. They continue in full consciousness between the death and resurrection of the body, and in the new resurrected body into all eternity. See Twenty-five Proofs of the Immortality of the Soul.

VIII. Mortality of the Body

The body is now mortal. It will die and go back to dust (Gen_3:19; Ecc_3:19-21; Heb_9:27; Jas_2:26). This procedure will continue until sin is put down and death is destroyed (1Co_15:24-28; Rev_21:3-7; Rev_22:3).

IX. Resurrection of the Dead

This refers only to the bodies of all men who die, not to the souls


and spirits which are immortal. Without exception, all scriptures on the future resurrection of the dead refer only to the bodies which die and will be resurrected from dust again (Dan_12:2; Joh_5:28-29; 1Co_15:1-58; 1Th_4:13-17; Rev_20:4-6, Rev_20:11-15). There will be no spiritual resurrection-a resurrection of the soul and spirit. All spiritual resurrection is accomplished in this life before the body dies (Eph_2:1-10; Col_2:11-13). If one is not resurrected spiritually from death in trespasses and sins in this life, he will remain forever spiritually dead or separated from God (Heb_9:27; Rev_22:11).

X. No Soul-Sleeping Taught

All scriptures used by false cults to prove soul-sleep really refer to death of the body which knows nothing in the grave. See No Soul-Sleep Taught in Scripture.

XI. Immortality of the Body

The body, which is now mortal, will become immortal in the resurrection. All scriptures mentioning future immortality refer to the body, not to the soul which is now immortal. For proof of this see Fourteen Proofs of the Future Immortality of the Body under No Soul-Sleeping Taught in Scripture, and Twenty-five Proofs of the Immortality of the Soul.

XII. The Intermediate State

This refers to the state of the dead between death and the resurrection of the body. After the body goes back to dust at physical death (Gen_3:19; Ecc_3:19-21; Jas_2:26), it remains dead (separated from the inner man) until the future resurrection day when the body will be made immortal (1Co_15:35-54). The soul and spirit remain alive, being immortal either in heaven or hell, until the resurrection day when the body will be made immortal. See pt. (14), The Doctrine of Man.

At physical death the soul and spirit leave the body (Jas_2:26). If one is a converted person, his soul and spirit go to heaven immediately at death to await the resurrection of the body (

Luk_20:38; Joh_11:25-26; 2Co_5:8; Eph_3:15; Eph_4:8-10; Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:22-23; Rev_6:9-11). If he is a sinner, his soul and spirit go to hell at death to await the resurrection of the


body (Isa_14:9; Luk_16:19-31; 2Pe_2:9; Rev_20:11-15).

XIII. Five Departments in the Underworld of Departed Spirits

There are five distinct prisons in the underworld of departed spirits:

1. Tartarus (1Pe_3:19; 2Pe_2:4; Jud_1:6-7). This prison is a special one for fallen angels who sinned before the flood. No human beings or demons ever go to this prison. See 2Pe_2:4.

2. Paradise (Luk_16:19-31; Luk_23:43). This was the abode of the righteous after physical death, where they were held captive by the devil against their will, until Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave. It is now empty of the righteous, who go to heaven at death, since Christ captured the captives in hell and took them to heaven with Him when He ascended on high. See note Luk_16:22; note, Eph_4:8; note, Heb_2:15.

3. Hell (Mat_16:18; Luk_16:19-31). This is the torment compartment of Sheol/Hades where wicked souls have always gone and will always go until the end of the Millennium. Then the wicked will be brought out of here to be reunited with their resurrected immortal bodies, and cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Rev_20:11-15).

4. The abyss or bottomless pit (Luk_8:26-31; Rom_10:7; Rev_9:1-3, Rev_9:11; Rev_11:7; Rev_17:8; Rev_20:1-10). This is the abode of demons and some angelic beings. No human soul and spirit ever go to the abyss. The O.T. equivalent is Abaddon and is translated destruction (Job_26:6; Job_28:22; Job_31:12; Psa_88:11; Pro_15:11; Pro_27:20).

5. The lake of fire. This is the eternal hell and perdition of all fallen angels, demons, and wicked men (Rev_20:6, Rev_20:11-15; Rev_21:8; Rev_22:15). It is the same as gehenna (G1067) of note, Luk_12:5. It is the final hell prepared for the devil and his angels (Mat_25:41) and is eternal in duration (Isa_66:22-24; Mat_25:46; Rev_14:9-14; Rev_19:20; Rev_20:10-15).

XIV. Hell

The English word "hell" is defined as "the abode of evil spirits;


infernal regions; place of eternal punishment or extreme torment; in ancient times, the place of departed spirits." The word infernal means "belonging to hell." The word inferno is another word for "the infernal regions; hell." Gehenna is defined as "the place of future torment; hell; hell-fire." Tartarus is defined as "the place of punishment in the lower world." There are seven Hebrew and Greek words translated hell and grave as follows:

1. Hebrew: she’owl (H7585), the unseen world. It always refers to the unseen world of departed spirits, and is always in contrast with the Hebrew: qeber (H6913), which means the grave, or the seen world where bodies are buried. Qeber is always translated grave, burying place, sepulchre. It is never translated hell, and rightly so.

She’owl (H7585) is translated "hell" 31 times (Deu_32:22; 2Sa_22:6; Job_11:8; Job_26:6; Psa_9:17; Psa_16:10; Psa_18:5; Psa_55:15; Psa_86:13; Psa_116:3; Psa_139:8; Pro_5:5; Pro_7:27; Pro_9:18; Pro_15:11, Pro_15:24; Pro_23:14; Pro_27:20; Isa_5:14; Isa_14:9, Isa_14:15; Isa_28:15, Isa_28:18; Isa_57:9; Eze_31:16-17; Eze_32:21, Eze_32:27; Amo_9:2; Jon_2:2; Hab_2:5); "grave" 31 times (Gen_37:35; Gen_42:38; Gen_44:29, Gen_44:31; 1Sa_2:6; 1Ki_2:6, 1Ki_2:9; Job_7:9; Job_14:13; Job_17:13; Job_21:13; Job_24:19; Psa_6:5; Psa_30:3; Psa_31:17; Psa_49:14-15; Psa_88:3; Psa_89:48; Psa_141:7; Pro_1:12; Pro_30:16; Ecc_9:10; Son_8:6; Isa_14:11; Isa 4 _38:10 , Isa_38:18; Eze_31:15; Hos_13:14); and "pit" 3 times (Num_16:30, Num_16:33; Job_17:16).

2. Hebrew: qeber (H6913), the proper word for grave, the seen world, is translated four different ways and always of the place where the body goes at death:

(1) Grave (Gen_35:20; Gen_50:5; Exo_14:11; Num_19:16, Num_19:18; 2Sa_3:32; 2Sa_19:37; 1Ki_13:30; 1Ki_14:13; 2Ki_22:20; 2Ki_23:6; 2Ch_34:4, 2Ch_34:28; Job_3:22; Job_5:26; Job_10:19; Job_17:1; Job_21:32; Psa_88:5, Psa_88:11; Isa_14:19; Isa_53:9; Isa_65:4; Jer_8:1; Jer_20:17; Jer_26:23; Eze_32:22-26; Eze_37:12-13; Eze_39:11; Nah_1:14).

(2) Burial (2Ch_26:23; Ecc_6:3; Isa_14:20; Jer_22:19).


(3) Burying place (Gen_23:4, Gen_23:9, Gen_23:20; Gen_47:30; Gen_49:30; Gen_50:13; Jdg_16:31).

(4) Sepulchre (Gen_23:6; Deu_34:6; Jdg_8:32; 1Sa_10:2; 2Sa_2:32; 2Sa_4:12; 2Sa_17:23; 2Sa_21:14; 1Ki_13:22, 1Ki_13:31; 2Ki_9:28; 2Ki_13:21; 2Ki_21:26; 2Ki_23:16-17, 2Ki_23:30; 2Ch_16:14; 2Ch_21:20; 2Ch_24:25; 2Ch_28:27; 2Ch_32:33; 2Ch_35:24; Neh_2:3, Neh_2:5; Neh_3:16; Psa_5:9; Isa_22:16; Jer_5:16).

3. Greek: Hades (G86), the unseen world. It is equivalent to she’owl (H7585) of the O.T. and is always in contrast with mnemeion (G3419), the seen world, or place of bodies at death. Mnemeion, meaning the grave, is never translated "hell." Hades is translated "hell" ten times (Mat_11:23; Mat_16:18; Luk_10:15; Luk_16:23; Act_2:27, Act_2:31; Rev_1:18; Rev_6:8; Rev_20:13-14) and "grave" once (1Co_15:55).

4. Greek: mnemeion (G3419), the proper word for grave, is translated three different ways, as follows:

(1) Grave (Mat_27:52-53; Luk_11:44; Joh_5:28; Joh_11:17, Joh_11:31, Joh_11:38; Joh_12:17; Rev_11:9)

(2) Tomb (Mat_8:28; Mat_27:60; Mar_5:2-3; Mar_6:29; Luk_8:27)

(3) Sepulchre (Mat_23:29; Mat_27:60; Mat_28:8; Mar_15:46; Mar_16:2-8; Luk_11:47-48; Luk_23:53, Luk_23:55; Luk_24:1-2, Luk_24:9, Luk_24:12, Luk_24:22, Luk_24:24; Joh_19:41-42; Joh_20:1-11; Act_2:29; Act_7:16; Act_13:29)

5. Greek: gehenna (G1067), from Hebrew: gay’ (H1516), gorge or valley, and Hinnom (H2011), lamentation. It means valley of Hinnom, where perpetual fires were kept to burn the refuse of Jerusalem. It came to be used by the Jews as an appropriate picture of eternal hell and punishment. Gehenna is translated "hell" twelve times (Mat_5:22, Mat_5:29, Mat_5:30; Mat_10:28; Mat_18:9; Mat_23:15, Mat_23:33; Mar_9:43-47; Luk_12:5; Jas_3:6). It is never translated grave, and rightly so. See note, Luk_12:5.

6. Greek: tartaros (G5020), the deepest abyss of Sheol/Hades, the unseen world. The verb form tartaro is translated "cast ...


down to hell" in 2Pe_2:4. See note there.

7. Greek: limnen (G3041) tou (G3588) puros (G4442), lake of fire, the same as the gehenna (G1067) of fire, the eternal hell, and perdition of all rebels against God, whether spirits, giants, pre-Adamites, or Adamites. It is used five times (Rev_19:20; Rev_20:10-15; Rev_21:8).

It can be seen from a study of all the above scriptures on Sheol/Hades, gehenna, tartaros, and qeber/mnemeion that hell is not the grave, but a place of consciousness and torment. This will be abundantly proven in the following facts about hell and the grave:

Eighty-eight Facts Proving that Hell Is Not the Grave:

1. In Scripture, Sheol/Hades (hell) is never the place of the body; qeber/mnemeion (grave) is never the place of the soul (Psa_16:10; Act_2:25-29).

2. She’owl (H7585) is never in the plural; qeber (H6913) is plural 38 times, and singular 74 times.

3. She’owl (H7585) is never located on earth; qeber (H6913) is located on earth 73 times.

4. The body never goes to she’owl (H7585); the body is mentioned as going to qeber (H6913) 75 times.

5. An individual’s she’owl (H7585) is never mentioned; an individual’s qeber (H6913) is mentioned 79 times.

6. Man never puts anyone into she’owl (H7585); man puts bodies into a qeber (H6913) 40 times.

7. Man never digs or makes a she’owl (H7585); man digs and makes a qeber (H6913) 51 times.

8. Man on earth never touches a she’owl (H7585); he touches a qeber (H6913) 51 times.

9. Man has never seen a she’owl (H7585) on earth; he has seen a qeber (H6913) 51 times.

10. God alone puts men into she’owl (H7585) (Num_16:30-33; 1Sa_2:6; Eze_31:16; Luk_16:19-31).

11. God alone will bring men out of she’owl (H7585) (1Sa_2:6; Rev_20:11-15).

12. Hell-bound men descend (Isa_5:14) and go down (into the


lower parts of the earth) into she’owl (H7585) at death (Gen_37:35; Gen_42:38; Gen_44:29, Gen_44:31; Num_16:30-33; 1Sa_2:6; 1Ki_2:6, 1Ki_2:9; Job_7:9-10; Job_17:16; Job_21:13; Psa_31:16-17; Isa_14:9-16; Eze_31:15-17; Eze_32:27; Mat_11:23; Luk_10:15).

13. People go into she’owl (H7585) in a moment and quickly (Num_16:30-33; Job_21:13; Psa_55:15; Luk_16:19-31).

14. People are forced into she’owl (H7585) (Isa_5:15).15. People are cast into she’owl (H7585) (Eze_31:15-17).16. Sheol is located in the nether parts of the earth (Eze_31:14-

18; Eze_32:24), lower parts of the earth (Psa_63:9; Psa_68:18; Eph_4:8-10), heart of the earth (Mat_12:40), below the depth of the seas and below the foundations of the mountains (Jon_2:2-6), beneath like a pit (Pro_15:24; Isa_14:9-16; Eze_31:14-18; Eze_32:18-31), and is too deep to dig into (Job_11:8; Amo_9:2).

17. Sheol/Hades, unlike the grave, is a place of activity, a place of wrath (Deu_32:22; Luk_16:19-31).

18. A place of sorrow (Gen_42:38; Gen_44:29, Gen_44:31; 2Sa_22:6; Psa_18:5; Psa_55:15; Psa_116:3; Pro_7:27; Isa_14:9-15).

19. A place of fire (Deu_32:22; Son_8:6; Luk_16:19-31).20. A place hidden from man, but naked before God (Job_26:6;

Psa_139:8; Pro_15:11; Amo_9:2)21. A place of power (Psa_49:15; Hos_13:14; Mat_16:18;

1Co_15:51-56; Rev_1:18; Rev_6:8).22. A place of full consciousness (Isa_14:9-15; Eze_32:27-31;

Luk_16:19-31).23. A place for the soul and spirit, not the body (Psa_16:10;

Psa_30:3; Psa_49:15; Psa_86:13; Psa_89:48; Pro_23:14; Act_2:25-29).

24. A place of conversations (Isa_14:9-16; Eze_32:21; Luk_16:19-31).

25. A place where many kings and chief ones of the earth live after death (Isa_14:9-11).

26. A place where its inhabitants are stirred up at the coming of others (Isa_14:9-11; Eze_32:27-32).

27. A place where great men acknowledge their defeat (Isa_14:9-11).


28. A place where men recognize and converse with one another (Isa_14:16; Luk_16:9-31).

29. A place where knowledge and memory exist (Isa_14:10, Isa_14:16; Luk_16:19-31).

30. A place for the proud-Mat_11:23; Luk_10:15. If the grave is hell then the curse of Jesus here is meaningless, for all go to graves physically, the proud and the humble, without such a curse (Heb_9:27).

31. A place of torment (Luk_16:23).32. A place of prayer (Jon_2:2; Luk_16:19-31).33. A place of regret over mistreatment of others (Luk_16:24-31).34. A place where men still have willpower, though it is too late to

accept God’s terms and escape hell (Luk_16:24-31).35. A place where men are conscious of life on earth, but cannot

visit earth to warn men of the real torments (Luk_16:26-31).36. A place where the lost become concious of the need of soul-

winning (Luk_16:27-31).37. A place so terrible that those who are in it plead for some

means of warning others not to come there (Luk_16:26-31).38. A place where souls are not burned up by the fire (Luk_16:22-

31; 1Pe_3:4).39. A place of cruelty (Son_8:6).40. A place that has enlarged itself-it has not been enlarged by

men (Isa_5:14).41. A place that is never full or satisfied (Pro_27:20; Pro_30:16;

Hab_2:5).42. A place that receives men in numbers like flocks of sheep

(note, Psa_49:14).43. A place from which only salvation can deliver one

(Psa_86:13).44. A place of gates and bars (Job_17:16; Isa_38:10; Mat_16:18;

Rev_1:18).45. A place of debasement (Isa_57:9).46. A place of pains (Psa_18:5; Psa_116:3; Luk_16:19-31).47. A temporary place of torment (Luk_16:19-31; Rev_20:11-15).48. A place of two compartments-one for the righteous before the

resurrection of Christ, and one for the wicked departed souls from Abel’s time to the end of the Millennium-with a great gulf between the compartments forbidding travel but not


communication between them (Luk_16:19-31).

The Paradise Compartment of Sheol:

49. A place other than the grave for the righteous who, until Christ came, were captives of the devil against their will (Heb_2:14-15). It was called Abraham’s bosom (Luk_16:22) and paradise (Luk_23:43).

50. It was a hiding place from God’s wrath after death (Job_14:13; Luk_16:19-31), a place without fire, but with water and other comforts (Eze_31:16; Luk_16:19-31).

51. Lazarus went into this place of comfort, but his body went to the grave (Luk_16:19-31).

52. Christ and the penitent thief went into paradise at death (Psa_16:10; Mat_12:40; Luk_23:43; Eph_4:8-10).

53. Jonah also went into this compartment while his body was dead in the belly of the whale (Jon_2:2, Jon_2:6-7; Mat_12:40).

54. Angels carried the righteous souls into this compartment, but men carried their bodies to graves (Luk_16:22-26; Luk_23:43).

55. Christ, while there, preached to the angels in tartarus, proving that the hell He was in is not the grave (Psa_16:10; note, 1Pe_3:19).

56. Christ, while in Sheol/Hades, liberated the righteous captives of Satan taking them to heaven with Him when He ascended on high (Eph_4:8-10; Heb_2:14-15).

57. Paradise is now empty of all the righteous souls (Eph_4:8-10; Heb_12:23); the graves continue to hold bodies of both the righteous and unrighteous.

58. The righteous were alive in paradise, else Christ could not have preached and liberated the righteous captives; and Lazarus and others in this place could not have been comforted (Luk_16:19-31).

The Torment Compartment of Sheol:

59. It is the lowest part of Sheol, even lower than paradise, and therefore could not be the grave (Deu_32:22; Psa_86:13; Pro_9:18; Isa_57:9).

60. The greater number of people (not all) go into it at death


(Deu_32:22; Psa_9:17; Isa_5:14; Luk_16:19-31), whereas all men go into a grave, watery or otherwise, at death.

61. The fire in it is as literal as the mountains (Deu_32:22; Luk_16:19-31).

62. The fire is kindled in God’s wrath (Deu_32:22)63. Entrance into it is down, deeper than a grave, through the

earth to its center (Num_16:30-33; Mat_12:40; Eph_4:8-10).64. Bodies of men are buried at the mouth of it on the earth’s

surface only (Psa_141:7).65. Men go alive into it (Num_16:30-33; Psa_88:3; Pro_1:12;

Eze_32:27-31; Luk_16:19-31).66. The wicked only are tormented in it (Deu_32:22; Psa_9:17;

Pro_5:5; Pro_7:27; Pro_9:18; Isa_14:9-16; Luk_16:19-31).67. Its depth is contrasted with the height of heaven, which could

never be so of the grave (Job_11:7; Isa_57:9; Amo_9:2).68. The Rephaim, or giants, are there for sexual sins, proving that

they are still alive in she’owl (H7585) (notes on Gen_6:1-4; Pro_9:18; Pro_21:16; Isa_14:9-19; Isa_26:14).

69. Christ now has the keys of Sheol/Hades (Rev_1:18).70. Chastening can help men to be godly and escape it

(Pro_23:14), but chastening will not keep men from graves. All go to graves, but all do not go to hell. In fact, no saved man goes there since Christ conquered hell (2Co_5:8; Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:23; Rev_6:9-11).

71. The gates of hell (Hades) shall not prevail against the church in this age (Mat_16:18), but they did prevail against O.T. saints, for they all went down into the paradise compartment of she’owl (H7585) and were held captive by Satan against their will (Heb_2:14-15). Since the resurrection of Christ, saints do not go to Sheol/Hades as before He conquered hell and liberated the righteous souls from Satan, leading them captive to heaven (Eph_4:8-10; Heb_2:14-15). Saints of this age now go to heaven at death instead of to Sheol (2Co_5:8; Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:23; Rev_6:9-11), which proves that hell is not the grave. No such change regarding graves has ever been made. The bodies of both the righteous and the wicked continue to be put into graves.

72. Every man in Sheol/Hades will be brought out and judged 1,000 years after the righteous have been resurrected


(Rev_20:4-6, Rev_20:11-15). If men at death are extinct or unconscious in graves, why bring them back into existence or consciousness just to judge them and send them into extinction of being again, as false cults teach? This would make the Bible a lie, for conscious punishment of sins would then be impossible. Unconsciousness in graves now, and unconsciousness and extinction of being in eternity, would not meet the demands of the law of eternal punishment for eternal rebellion, as we shall see below.

73. Sheol/Hades held the captives that were captured by Christ and taken to heaven when He ascended on high (Eph_4:8-10; Heb_2:14-15). How could extinct or unconcious men be held captive? Why would Christ even attempt to capture extinct beings? What would He want with them? Those He captured must have been real and living, for God is not the God of the dead bodies of men but of their living souls (Luk_20:38). If the captives were brought back into being again when their captivity by Christ took place, then the resurrection of the righteous has already taken place and many scriptures stating the future resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked are without meaning (Dan_12:2; Joh_5:28-29; 1Th_4:16; Rev_20:4-6).

74. Qeber/mnemeion, the proper words for grave, are never translated "hell." Sheol/Hades should never have been translated "grave." To prove this, let us substitute hell where burial, grave, tomb, and sepulchre are found and see how ridiculous it would be:

Examples of Using "Hell" for "Grave":(1) Choice of our hells (Gen_23:6)(2) Jacob set a pillar upon her hell (Gen_35:20)(3) In my hell which I have digged (Gen_50:5)(4) Because ... no hells in Egypt (Exo_14:11)(5) Whosoever touches a hell shall be unclean seven days

(Num_19:16, Num_19:18)(6) Buried by the hell of my father (2Sa_19:37)(7) Carcass in his own hell (1Ki_13:30)(8) The hell of Elisha (2Ki_13:21)


(9) Hell of the man of God (2Ki_23:17)(10) Remain among the hells (Isa_65:4)(11) Bones out of hells (Jer_8:1)(12) Hells of the prophets (Mat_23:29)(13) Hells of the righteous (Mat_23:29)(14) Dwelling among the hells (Mar_5:3)

Examples of Using "Grave" for "Hell":(1) Fire burning in the lowest grave kindled by God’s wrath

(Deu_32:22)(2) Sorrows of the grave (2Sa_22:6)(3) Wicked and all nations that forget God turned into the

grave (Psa_9:17)(4) Soul in the grave (Psa_16:10)(5) Pains of the grave (Psa_116:3)(6) The grave is never full (Pro_27:20)(7) The inhabitants of the grave move to welcome you at your

coming (Isa_14:9)(8) Speak out of the grave (Eze_32:21)(9) Shall be in danger of grave fire (Mat_5:22; Mat_18:9;

Mar_9:43-49)(10) Fire of the grave never quenched (Mar_9:43-49)(11) God only has power to cast in the grave (Luk_12:5)(12) In the grave he lift up his eyes, being in torments in fire ...

flame (Luk_16:19-31)(13) Angels cast down to the grave (2Pe_2:4; Jud_1:6-7)

Other Ridiculous Conclusions:(1) They shall look into the grave on sinners where their worm

does not die and their fire shall not be quenched (Isa_66:22-24).

(2) Cast into the grave where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mat_8:11-12; Mat_22:13; Mat_24:51;


Mat_25:30).(3) Who has warned you to flee from wrath in the grave

(Mat_3:7)?(4) Killed and cast into the fire of the grave (Mat_3:10).(5) Burn in unquenchable fire in the grave (Mat_3:12;

Mat_7:19; Luk_3:17).(6) Tares are burned in the grave fire (Mat_13:40,

Mat_13:50).(7) Cast them into the grave of fire: there shall be wailing and

gnashing of teeth (Mat_13:42).(8) A twofold child more of the grave than yourselves

(Mat_23:15).(9) Be cast into everlasting fire in the grave (Mat_18:8-10).(10) Depart from Me, you cursed, into the grave of everlasting

fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Mat_25:41).(11) These shall go away in the grave of everlasting

punishment (Mat_25:46).(12) The angels that sinned have been reserved in everlasting

chains and set forth for an example of suffering the eternal fire of the grave (Jud_1:6-7).

(13) He opened the grave and out of it came forth smoke of a great furnace that darkened the sun (Rev_9:1-21).

(14) The smoke of the grave rose up forever and ever (Rev_19:3).

(15) Satan shall be cast into the grave of fire and brimstone and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev_20:7-10).

(16) Death and the grave were cast into the lake of fire (Rev_20:14).

(17) All sinners shall have their part in the grave that burns with fire and brimstone (Rev_21:8; Rev_22:15).

(18) Are you come to torment us (demons) in the grave before it is time to be tormented (Mat_8:29)?

(19) Warn my five brethren lest they also come to this grave of torment in fire (Luk_16:19-31).

(20) He (Lazarus) has comfort in his grave but you have


torment in yours (Luk_19:25).(21) He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the

grave and they shall have no rest day or night forever and ever (Rev_14:9-11).Many other statements just as ridiculous could be made if we, like false cults, forced a meaning into Scripture that is not there-that hell is the grave; that there is no consciousness after death; that eternal fire and eternal punishment in hell are false.

75. Hades (G86) is spoken of as being completely defeated (1Co_15:55). This is sufficient proof that it isn’t the grave.

76. The fact that the soul is immortal proves that it remains in consciousness some place between death and resurrection (note, 1Pe_3:4). Since it does not go to the grave, but to hell (Isa_14:9-16; Luk_16:19-31; Rev_20:11-15) or heaven (2Co_5:8; Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:23; Rev_6:9-11), then hell is not the grave.

77. Since the soul is immortal and the body mortal (Gen_3:19; Ecc_3:19-21), then it is clear that only the body goes into the grave to see corruption until its resurrection to immortality when (if wicked) it will be punished in hell with the soul or (if righteous), will be permitted to enjoy eternal bliss.

78. Since only the body is to be changed in the future resurrection of the dead, then only the body will come out of unconsciousness in the grave so it can be made as immortal as the soul and spirit, and be rewarded in heaven or punished in hell, according to its deeds (Dan_12:2; Joh_5:28-29; Rev_20:11-15). See notes on the resurrection, Dan_12:2.

79. Since soul-sleep is not taught in Scripture and body-sleep is, then it is the body only that is unconscious in the grave. See No Soul-Sleep Taught in Scripture. The soul goes to hell or heaven at death, as seen in the many scriptures above.

80. Since the bodies of the wicked as well as the righteous will become immortal in the resurrection, then it is impossible to burn them up, consume them, annihilate them, or cause them to become extinct through fire or any other means. Where are immortal wicked beings going to spend eternity as everlasting monuments of God’s wrath and examples of eternal punishment for rebellion (as in Isa_66:22-24; Rev_14:9-11; etc.), if not in hell?


81. Because there is full consciousness in the intermediate state between death and resurrection, souls of the wicked as well as the righteous must go to some place of waiting to remain until the resurrection of the body. See pt. (14), The Doctrine of Man. Where would the wicked go to await their bodies and receive judgment and their degrees of punishment, if not to hell?

82. Since the word "hell" is never in the plural, and since it is always clear, not only from the original words but from the subject matter of the texts, that bodies are put into graves and souls go to heaven or hell, then we must acknowledge that hell is not the grave.

83. Of the 65 places where she’owl (H7585) is used, 11 where Hades is used, 12 where gehenna (G1067), 5 the lake of fire, and the 1 time where tartaros (the verb form tartaroo (G5020)) is used in Scripture, only 2 places seem to teach that hell is the grave and that there is no consciousness in Sheol (Psa_6:5; Ecc_9:10).The first passage is simply the statement of a man in great distress. He could not see how the inhabitants in she’owl (H7585) could remember God’s goodness and give thanks to Him while in torment such as the rich man suffered in Luk_16:1-31. It is easily conceivable how such tormented rebels against God would not give thanks to Him, so this would not prove anything regarding hell being the grave. David did not believe that hell was the grave and that there was no life in she’owl (H7585), for in many places he taught that Sheol was the place of the immortal soul (Psa_16:10; Act_2:25-29); a place of sorrows and pains (Psa_18:5); and a place of full consciousness where the wicked go at death (Psa_9:17; Psa_31:17; Psa_68:18; Psa_88:3).In the second passage, Ecc_9:10, Solomon merely expresses the idea that all human activity under the sun ceases at death, as proved by the next verse where he speaks of profit under the sun. The phrase "under the sun" is found 29 times in this short book. Solomon does not mean that hell is the grave in Ecc_9:10, for elsewhere he teaches that the righteous do not go to the same compartment of Sheol as the wicked do (Pro_5:5; Pro_7:27; Pro_9:18; Pro_15:11, Pro_15:24; Pro_23:14; Pro_27:20).


84. The confinement of angels and demons to prisons under the earth because of sin proves that others-the immortal souls and spirits of the human race and of giants-can also be confined to material prisons in the underworld (Isa_24:21-22; 1Pe_3:19; 2Pe_2:4; Jud_1:6-7; Rev_9:1-21; Rev_20:1-10).

85. Examples of continued consciousness after death prove that hell and heaven are real places of life and not the grave where there is no life (Mat_17:5; Luk_16:19-31; Heb_12:23; Rev_6:9-11).

86. The Bible refers to life after death in many places. See pt. (14), The Doctrine of Man.

87. Degrees of punishment in eternal hell prove that neither Sheol/Hades nor the lake of fire is the grave (Mat_10:15; Mat_11:22-24; Mat_16:27; Mat_23:12-15; Rev_20:11-15). How could there be any kind of eternal punishment, much less degrees of punishment, if the wicked are extinct?

88. The eternal length of punishment of the wicked proves hell is not the grave. All bodies in graves will be resurrected and graves will be no more, but hell and eternal punishment will never end.

Fourteen Fallacies about Hell:1. Hell is the grave. This is abundantly disproved above.2. Fire in hell is figurative. The word fire is found in Scripture 549

times and is used figuratively only a few times. It is always clear when it is used figuratively, as of anger (Psa_89:46); jealousy (Psa_79:5); zeal (Psa_104:4; Joh_2:17); shame (Rom_12:20); trials (1Pe_1:7); judgment (Zec_13:9); Word of God (Jer_23:29); tongue (Jas_3:5-6); and God (Heb_12:29). Fire is used in plain literal descriptive language in the following statements of hell:

(1) Set on fire the foundations of mountains in the lowest Sheol (Deu_32:22).

(2) Neither shall their fire be quenched (Isa_66:22-24; Mar_9:43-49).

(3) Unquenchable fire (Mat_3:10, Mat_3:12).(4) Hell fire (Mat_5:22; Mat_18:9; Mar_9:43-49).(5) Cast into the fire (Mat_7:19).(6) Furnace of fire (Mat_13:40-50).


(7) Cast into everlasting fire (Mat_18:8; Mat_25:41, Mat_25:46).

(8) Fire that never shall be quenched (Mar_9:43-49; Luk_3:17).

(9) The vengeance of eternal fire (Jud_1:6-7).(10) Tormented with fire and brimstone (Rev_14:9-11).(11) Lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev_19:20;

Rev_21:8).(12) Lake of fire and brimstone (Rev_19:20; Rev_20:14-15).

3. Punishment of hell not eternal. If language means anything the torments of hell are proved to be eternal in the following:

(1) Danger of eternal damnation (Mar_3:29)(2) Eternal judgment (Heb_6:2)(3) Vengeance of eternal fire (Jud_1:7)(4) Shame and everlasting contempt (Dan_12:2; Joh_5:28-29)(5) Everlasting fire (Mat_18:8; Mat_25:41)(6) Everlasting punishment (Mat_25:46)(7) Everlasting destruction (2Th_1:9)(8) Everlasting chains (Jud_1:6-7)(9) The smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever

(Rev_14:9-11).(10) Tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev_20:10)

The same words translated "eternal," "everlasting," and "forever and ever," which are used to state the eternity of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, life, etc., are also used of hell and punishment. Therefore, if these persons and things are eternal, then hell and punishment are eternal. Some teach that forever means age-long. This may be true when used in a limited and qualified sense of temporary things, as in Exo_21:6, but when used literally of God’s plan it always means eternal. The Hebrew word: ‛owlam (H5769) and the Greek word aionios (G166) mean time out of mind, past or future; eternity; always; forever; everlasting; perpetual; without end. Besides the above eternal things, the following is a partial list:

Sixty-five Other Eternal Things(1) God (Deu_33:27; Rom_1:20; Rev_4:9)


(2) God’s name (Exo_3:15; Psa_72:17)(3) God’s throne (Psa_93:2)(4) God’s kingdom on earth (Exo_15:18; Psa_145:13;

Psa_146:10; Jer_10:10; Dan_2:44-45; Dan_4:3, Dan_4:4; 2Pe_1:11)

(5) God’s Word (Deu_29:29; Psa_12:6-7; Psa_119:89, Psa_119:152, Psa_119:160; Isa_40:8; 1Pe_1:23-25)

(6) God’s glory (Psa_104:31; 2Co_4:17; 2Ti_2:10; 1Pe_5:10; Rev_1:6)

(7) God’s purpose on earth (Eph_3:11)(8) God’s mercy (1Ch_16:34; Psa_118:1-29)(9) God’s kindness (Isa_54:8)(10) God as light among men (Isa_60:19-20)(11) Fear of God (Psa_19:9)(12) God’s counsel (Psa_33:11)(13) God’s righteousness (Psa_111:3; Psa_112:3; Isa_51:8;

Dan_9:24)(14) God’s works (Psa_111:7-8; Psa_148:6)(15) God’s protection (Psa_125:2)(16) Christ (Mic_5:2)(17) Christ’s throne (Psa_45:6; Heb_1:8)(18) Christ’s reign on earth (Isa_9:6-7; Dan_7:13-14;

Luk_1:32-33; Rev_11:15)(19) Christ dwelling in the midst of Israel visibly (Eze_43:7-9)(20) Christ the same (Heb_13:8)(21) Holy Spirit (Heb_9:14)(22) Holy Spirit among men (Joh_14:16)(23) Heavens (Psa_72:17; 2Co_5:1)(24) Earth (Psa_104:5; Ecc_1:4)(25) Man-eternal generations of natural people(26) Israel as an eternal earthly nation (2Sa_7:1-29;

1Ch_17:22-27; 1Ch_23:25; Isa_9:6-7; Jer_31:36; Eze_37:18-28; Joe_3:20; Luk_1:32-33; Rev_11:15)

(27) Israel’s name (Isa_56:5)(28) Promised land to Israel (Gen_17:8; Gen_48:4; Jer_25:5)(29) Israel’s marriage to God (Hos_2:14-19)(30) Jerusalem-Zion (Psa_48:8; Psa_78:69; Psa_125:1;

Isa_33:20; Isa_60:15; Jer_17:25)(31) Abraham’s natural seed (Gen_13:15)(32) Noah’s natural seed (Gen_9:12)


(33) David himself (Psa_61:4-8)(34) David’s natural seed (2Sa_7:1-29; Psa_89:4, Psa_89:29,

Psa_89:36)(35) David’s throne (Psa_89:29, Psa_89:36; Luk_1:32)(36) David’s kingdom (2Sa_7:1-29; Isa_9:6-7; Luk_1:32-33)(37) David as an eternal, resurrected king of natural Israel

(Eze_37:18-28)(38) Noahic Covenant (Gen_9:1-29)(39) Abrahamic Covenant (Gen_17:7; 1Ch_16:16-17)(40) Davidic Covenant (2Sa_7:1-29; 2Sa_23:5)(41) New Covenant (Isa_55:3; Isa_59:21; Isa_61:8;

Jer_32:40; Eze_37:26; Heb_13:20)(42) Natural life of man and animals on earth (Gen_9:12;

Isa_9:6-7; Dan_2:44-45; Dan_7:13-14; Mat_25:31-46; Rev_11:15; Rev_22:2-5)

(43) Eternal life for both natural and resurrected men (Mat_25:46; Mar_10:30; Joh_3:16, Joh_3:36; Joh_5:24; Joh_10:28; etc.)

(44) Things not seen (1Co_2:9; 2Co_4:18)(45) Resurrected body (2Co_5:1)(46) Salvation (Isa_45:17; Isa_51:6; Heb_5:9)(47) Redemption (Heb_9:12)(48) Inheritance (Heb_9:15; Psa_37:18, Psa_37:29)(49) Saints (Psa_37:28; Dan_7:18, Dan_7:27)(50) Kingdom on earth for saints (Dan_7:18, Dan_7:22,

Dan_7:27; Rev_1:5; Rev_5:10)(51) Melchizedek priesthood (Psa_110:4; Heb_5:6; Heb_6:20;

Heb_7:17, Heb_7:21, Heb_7:24)(52) Holiness in God’s house (Psa_93:5)(53) Good man’s righteousness (Psa_112:6-9)(54) Truth (Psa_117:2; Pro_12:19)(55) Perfection of saints (Heb_10:14)(56) Purging of sins (Heb_10:12)(57) Joy (Isa_35:10; Isa_51:11; Isa_61:7)(58) Consolation (2Th_2:16)(59) Gospel (Rev_14:6)(60) Pleasures (Psa_16:11)(61) Sacrifices (Eze_46:14)(62) Mountains and hills (Gen_49:26; Hab_3:6)(63) Chains (Jud_1:6)


(64) Desolation of Babylon (Jer_50:39; Jer_51:26, Jer_51:62)(65) Opening to hell (Isa_34:1-17; Isa_66:22-24)

One has as much right to make any one of the above 65 things age-long only, as to do so with the 12 eternal facts about hell above. No hint is ever found in Scripture that hell is the grave and a temporary place, or that punishment of the wicked is temporary.

4. The wicked are to be burned up. False cults interpret Mal_4:1 to say this. However, it does not refer to hell at all, but to the battle of Armageddon, when fire will fall from heaven devouring the bodies of the wicked and killing them (Eze_38:17-21; Zec_4:1-15; 2Th_1:7-10; Rev_19:11-21). Just a casual reading of Malachi 3-4 will show that it refers to the second coming of Christ, not to hell (Mal_3:2-5, Mal_3:16-18; Mal_4:1-6). Not one word is said about hell in Malachi.

5. The wicked shall be annihilated. Scripture gives no doctrine teaching the annihilation of any part of creation. All passages teach the soul is now immortal and the body will be immortal in the resurrection, so no body can be annihilated in hell or any other place (see No Soul-Sleep Taught in Scripture). If the word "annihilation" is substituted for destroy, destruction, consume, etc., one can see how utterly senseless some scriptures would be in meaning. Try this in Gen_6:7; Gen_9:11; Gen_41:30; Job_7:9; Job_19:10, Job_19:27; Job_21:17; Job_33:21; Psa_6:7; Psa_31:9-10; Psa_39:10; Psa_78:45; Psa_91:5; Jer_17:18; 1Co_5:5.

6. Men in hell will suffer absolute destruction. The Greek word for destruction in 2Th_1:9 means ruin, but not extinction.

7. The wicked shall die and be extinct. Death means separation, not annihilation.

8. Men in hell will be destroyed, will perish and be no more. The Greek word for destroy and perish in Mat_10:28 and Joh_3:16 is apollumi, meaning to torment, mar, and be lost, not annihilate. See note, Mat_10:28. In most places it means simply to die physically. This is not extinction of being, but the passing from one state to another or one place to another (Mat_2:13; Mat_8:25; Mat_12:14; Mat_18:14; Mat_21:41; Mat_26:52; Mat_27:20; Mar_1:24; Mar_3:6; Mar_9:22; Mar_11:18; Mar_12:9; Luk_6:9; Luk_9:56; Luk_13:33; Luk_17:27-29; Joh_10:10; etc.). In other places it means to be


cut off from God or be lost (Mat_10:6, Mat_10:42; Mat_15:24; Mat_16:25-26; 2Co_4:3). When a sheep is lost from the shepherd, a man is lost from God in sin, or some other material object is lost, does it mean they are extinct? When leather bottles are marred by bursting, are they extinct (Mar_2:22)? When homosexuals utterly perish in their corruption, does it mean they are to be extinct, or die and suffer fleshly corruption by going back to dust physically? The latter is all it could mean, for the passage states such are yet to receive punishment for their sins (2Pe_2:12-13). To see corruption here means going back to dust. Even so, to be destroyed or perish in hell does not mean extinction of being, but separation from God in conscious punishment, as in the scriptures above on hell.

9. The wicked shall consume away like smoke (Psa_37:20). The Hebrew for consume is kalah (H3615), to end; to finish; to cease; to complete; and to take away. It never means extinction of being of the thing consumed. When famine consumed the land, did it annihilate the land (Gen_41:30)? When the Syrians were consumed by the Jewish army, were they made extinct or merely defeated (1Ki_22:11; 2Ki_13:17, 2Ki_13:19)? When the sword consumed men, did it annihilate them or merely kill the body (Jer_14:12; Jer_49:27)? When a man is hit by the hand, is he annihilated (Psa_39:10)? When a man consumed was still alive and speaking of the event, was he annihilated (Psa_90:7)? Thus, being consumed like smoke simply refers to passing out of this life to the next where punishment is meted out, or the many scriptures on punishment according to works are false. It means that all human activity ceases and life is finished on earth. It does not reveal the fate awaiting the next life.

10. The wicked will be burned up like chaff and the fire will go out when it has done its work (Mat_3:11-12). The comparison of the righteous to wheat and the wicked to chaff does not prove that the wicked are to be extinct by fire. It merely expresses two destinies at death for two classes. The wicked are not burned up by fire like chaff any more than the righteous are cast into a garner for literal wheat. The picture is merely that of God taking the righteous to heaven and sending the wicked to hell-fire to be punished, as in the many scriptures above. That


the fire will never die down is stated by Isaiah (Isa_66:22-24), John the Baptist (Mat_3:12), Jesus (Mat_18:8-9; Mar_9:43-49), Jude (Jud_1:6-7), and John (Rev_14:9-11; Rev_20:10-15; Rev_21:8).

11. The wicked shall be no more (Pro_10:25). This is no reference to hell. It merely expresses the end of human activity on earth.

12. The place of the wicked shall not be (Psa_37:10). This is another passage which says nothing of hell, but refers to the passing of the wicked from the earth so that they and their place in human activity shall soon be forgotten. Because the wicked cease to live among men, does that do away with the actual places where they did live on earth? If so, then all the earth would pass out of existence, for wicked men have lived on every part of it. The very fact that men will consider places the wicked used to be proves the places themselves are still here.

13. The wicked will be devoured by fire (Rev_20:7-10). This passage refers to the destruction of living natural people who will seek to overthrow the kingdom of Christ at the end of the Millennium. It does not refer to hell or to resurrected people, for the wicked are not to be resurrected until after this (Rev_20:11-15). The ones killed will be the nations living on the earth during the Millennium and not the wicked dead who are in their graves and in she’owl (H7585) to remain until after this rebellion (Rev_20:4-15).

14. The wicked dead will be given a second chance and then if they do not accept Christ will be annihilated with the devil and all his angels and demons. The only scripture used by false cults to prove this is Rev_20:7-10. But as we have seen above, this refers to the nations living on earth in natural bodies during the Millennium, not to the wicked dead who are not alive during the Millennium (Rev_20:5). After the Millennium they are to be resurrected, judged, and cast into eternal hell without being given a second probation (Rev_20:10-15). There is no second chance for any man (Heb_9:27), no hope of any final restoration for the wicked. Nonexistence would not be punishment for nonexistent people would know nothing about it. One cannot be punished who is nonexistent. Everlasting punishment means perpetual


suffering which presupposes perpetual existence in a conscious state. Persons to be punished forever must exist in consciousness forever. Hence, hell is not extinction of being. The punishment of hell is as long as the life of the righteous: "These shall go away into everlasting (aionios (G166)) punishment, but the righteous into life eternal (aionios)" (Mat_25:41, Mat_25:46; Mat_18:8; Mar_3:29; Mar_9:43-49; 2Th_1:7-10; Jud_1:6-7, Jud_1:13; Rev_2:11; Rev_14:9-11; Rev_19:20; Rev_20:10-15; Rev_21:8; Rev_22:15; Psa_52:5; Psa_92:7; Isa_66:22-24).


Psalm 10

Psa 10:1-18 ESV1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide

yourself in times of trouble?2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be

caught in the schemes that they have devised.3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the

one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all

his thoughts are, "There is no God."5 His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high,

out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them.6 He says in his heart, "I shall not be moved; throughout all

generations I shall not meet adversity."7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;

under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.8 He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he

murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;

9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.

10 The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.

11 He says in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it."

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.

13 Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"?

14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that


you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.

16 The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land.

17 O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psa 10:1-18 ISV1 Why do you stand far away, LORD? Why do you hide in

times of distress?2 The wicked one arrogantly pursues the afflicted, who are

trapped in the schemes he devises.3 For the wicked one boasts about his own desire; he

blesses the greedy and despises the LORD.4 With haughty arrogance, the wicked thinks, "God will not

seek justice." He always presumes "There is no God."5 Their ways always seem prosperous. Your judgments are

on high, far away from them. They scoff at all their enemies.

6 They say to themselves, "We will not be moved throughout all time, and we will not experience adversity."

7 Their mouth is full of curses, lies, and oppression, their tongues spread trouble and iniquity.

8 They wait in ambush in the villages, they kill the innocent in secret.

9 Their eyes secretly watch the helpless, lying in wait like a lion in his den. They lie in wait to catch the afflicted. They catch the afflicted when they pull him into their net.


10 The victim is crushed, and he sinks down; the helpless fall by their might.

11 The wicked say to themselves, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it."

12 Rise up, LORD! Raise your hand, God. Don't forget the afflicted!

13 Why do the wicked despise God and say to themselves, "God will not seek justice."?

14 But you do see! You take note of trouble and grief in order to take the matter into your own hand. The helpless one commits himself to you; you have been the orphan's helper.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; so that when you seek out his wickedness you will find it no more.

16 The LORD is king forever and ever; nations will perish from his land.

17 LORD, you heard the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen them, you will listen carefully,

18 to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that men of the earth may cause terror no more.

Psa Scripture Probable Occasion B.C.10 Dan 7:28 During the Babylonish captivity 539

The Book of Psalms: Psalm 10The problem in Psalm 9 is the enemy invading from without,

There were wicked nations around Israel (Ps 9:5),

The problem in Psalm 10 is the enemy corrupting and destroying from within.

Wwicked people within the covenant community (Ps 10:4), who claimed to know God, but whose lives proved they did not know God (Titus 2:16).


They know there is a God, but they live as though there is no God or no final judgment.

They are “practical atheists” who are their own gods and do whatever they please.

QuestIonIng God (V. 1).

1] Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

The age-old paradox: why do the wicked prosper? Cf. Job, Jer 14, et al.

The psalmist wrestles with the age-old problem, “Why doesn’t God do something about

the prosperity of the wicked (Ps 10: 2-4, 7, 10, 15)

the misery of the afflicted (Ps 10: 2, 8-10, 12, 14, 17-18)?”

It’s also discussed in Ps 13:1-3; 27:9; 30:7; 44:23-24; 73; and 88:13-15, as well as Job 13:24ff. and Jeremiah 14.

The wicked are marching through the land, but the Lord seems to be distant and unconcerned.

Godly people had lost their homes, jobs, possessions, families, and even their lives because of the ruthless deeds of evil leaders; and where was God?

(See Ps 22:1, 11; 35:22; 38:21; 42:9; 43:2; 71:12; 74:1; 88:14.)

God has expressed a special concern for widows, orphans, and the helpless (Ps 68:5; 82:3; Deut. 10:18; 24:17-21; 26:12-1 3; 27:19), yet He is not to be found.

It is accused that He “covers His eyes” as though nothing is happening (see Lev. 20:4; 1 Sam. 12:3; Prov. 28:27).

Rejecting God (Ps 10:2-13). The psalmist now describes these wicked people, what they do, and why they do it.


He gives four statements that express what they believe, because what they believe determines how they behave.

2] The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 3] For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. 4] The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Twenty-two Sins of the Wicked1. Is full of pride (Psa_10:2, Psa_10:4)2. Persecutes the poor (Psa_10:2)3. Sets snares for the just4. Imagines evil against righteous5. Boasts of his great plans (Psa_10:3)6. Blesses the covetous7. Rejects God (Psa_10:4)8. Dismisses religion (Psa_10:5)9. Travails to bring forth sin10. Is blind to God’s judgments11. Puffs at his enemies12. Boasts of getting what he wants (Psa_10:6)13. Blasphemes (Psa_10:7)14. Deceives others15. Cheats others16. Speaks mischief and vanity17. Plots against neighbors (Psa_10:8)18. Murders the innocent19. Takes advantage of the weak20. Plots against the poor (Psa_10:9)21. Manifests cruelty (Psa_10:10)22. Lives secure in his sins (Psa_10:11)

1) “There is no God” (Ps 10:2-4, see v. 4 nasb)Believing this lie frees the wicked to do whatever they please, for they become their own god.

“You shall be as God” (Gen. 3:5; 6:5).


The wicked cleverly plot against the righteous and hotly pursue them until they get what they want.

These evil workers live to please themselves and fulfill their selfish desires and then brag about their sins (Phil. 3:18-21)

They revile the Lord (Ps 10: 3, 13 NIV) and “stick their nose up” when anybody challenges them.

(2) “I shall not be moved” (vv. 5-7). 5] His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 6] He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 7] His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. This arrogant attitude comes from an ignorance of the laws of God, because unconverted people have no understanding of the Word of God or the ways of God (1 Cor. 2:10-16).

Because God is long-suffering, they think they’re getting away with their sins (EccI. 8:11).

Peace and prosperity give them a false sense of security that will end very suddenly. (See Luke 12:13-21 and 1 Thess. 5:1-3.)

Telling lies and swearing oaths they have no plans to keep, they escape the penalties of the law and pursue their devious ways.

Like people savoring tasty food, they keep lies under their tongues and enjoy them (Job 20:12-1 5; Prov. 4:17).

Paul quoted Ps 10: 7 in Romans 3:14.

It is the godly who have God’s promise of true security (Ps 10:15:5; 16:8; 21:7; 62:2; 112:6).

(3) “God doesn’t see me” (vv. 8-11).


8] He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

[poor] Hebrew: cheleka’ (H2489), weak ones.

9] He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. Like ferocious lions, wicked people hide and watch for opportunities to pounce on the helpless prey, and like hunters or fishermen, they catch their prey in their nets.

The wicked is pictured here as a lion watching for his prey; then as a hunter taking wild animals into his net; and finally as a wild beast crushing his prey (Psa_10:8-10).

10] He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

[strong ones] This refers to the powerful teeth and claws of the lion (Psa_10:9), or the companions in crime of the wicked.

11] He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Twofold false security of the wicked:

1. He thinks that God will not remember.2. He thinks that God is not interested enough in His creation to see evil.

They are sure that the law won’t catch up with them or the Lord notice what they do. The lion is often used as a picture of ruthless sinners who attack others (Ps 17:12; 37:32; 56:6; 59:3; 64:4).

Beliefs of the Wicked• “There is no God” Ps 10:2-4• “I shall not be moved” Ps 10:5-7• “God doesn’t see me” Ps 10:8-11• “God will not judge me” Ps 10:12-13


(4) “God will not judge me” (vv. 12-13). 12] Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the

humble. Ten Times God Is Asked to Arise

1. Save me, O my God (Psa_3:7).2. In Thine anger (Psa_7:6)3. Let not man prevail (Psa_9:19).4. Lift up Thine hand (Psa_10:12).5. Disappoint him; cast him down (Psa_17:13).6. Cast us not off forever (Psa_44:23).7. Redeem us for Thy mercies’ sake (Psa_44:26).8. Plead Thine own cause (Psa_74:22).9. Judge the earth (Psa_82:8).10. Into Thy rest (Psa_132:8; 2Ch_6:41)

Five requests to God for deliverance:

1. Arise, O Lord.2. Lift up Thine hand.3. Forget not the humble.4. Break the arm (power) of the wicked and evil man

(Psa_10:15).5. Destroy his wickedness until there is no more to be found.

Psalms 10:1313] Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in

his heart, Thou wilt not require it. Four Rebuttals (Ps 10:14-17)

• God sees what is going on Ps 10:14• God Judges sin Ps 10:15• God is King Ps 10:16• God defends His people Ps 10:17

Seven Reasons Why God Should Answer1. The wicked blasphemes God.2. The wicked thinks God will not require (investigate) sin.3. God sees sin (Psa_10:14).4. He beholds all mischief and spite.5. God will render justice to all.


6. The poor depends upon God.7. God is helper of fatherless.

The psalmist cries out to God for help,

He uses three different names for God:

Jehovah, the God of the covenant, and El and Elohim, the God of power.

The wicked boast that God will not investigate their sins or judge them, but God says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

The Lord will keep His covenant promises to His people,

There will be a day of reckoning when sinners will be judged by a righteous God.

“Arise, O LORD” takes us back to Numbers 10:35 and the triumphant march of Israel.

Trusting God (w. 14-18). As the psalm draws to a close, the writer expresses his full confidence that God is on His throne and has everything under His control.

The Lord may not explain to us why some people seem to get away with their evil deeds, but He does assure us that He will judge sinners and ultimately defend His own.

In this paragraph, the Lord answers all four of the statements of the wicked that are quoted in verses 2-13.

(1) God sees what is going on (v. 14).

14] Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

This answers Ps 10:8-11, that the Lord pays no attention to what the wicked are doing…


God sees the trouble (outward circumstances) and grief (inward feelings) caused by the wicked as they persecute the helpless, and He will take the matter in hand.

The poor and needy can safely commit themselves into the hands of the Lord (Ps 10:55:22; 1 Peter 5:7).

(2) God judges sin (v. 15).

15] Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

This answers the false claim of Ps 10:12-13.

The psalmist prays that the Lord will carefully investigate each sinner’s life and works, until every evil deed is exposed and judged.

He asks that the sinners be judged in this life and their power removed (“break the arm”).

This prayer isn’t always answered. (See Rev. 6:9-11.)

Seven Future Events Predicted in Psa_10:1-181. The arm (power) of the wicked will be broken in the

Millennium (Psa_10:1-18 : Psa_15:1-5; 1Co_15:24-28; Eph_1:10).

2. No wickedness will be found among men at the end of the Millennium (Psa_10:15; 1Co_15:24-28; Rev_21:3-7).

3. The Lord will be King forever beginning with the Millennium (Psa_10:16; Isa_9:6-7; Dan_2:44-45; Dan_7:13-14; Luk_1:32-33; Rev_11:15; Rev_22:4-5).

4. All heathen will be destroyed off the earth at the end of the Millennium (Psa_10:16; 1Co_15:24-28; Rev_21:3-7).

5. The desire of the humble for universal peace and righteousness will be realized in the Millennium and New Earth (Psa_10:17; Psa_37:11; Isa_2:2-4; Rev_21:3-7).

6. The fatherless and oppressed will be vindicated (Psa_10:18; Isa_11:3-9; Isa_65:20-25; 1Co_15:24-28; Eph_1:10).

7. The lawless will oppress no more (Psa_10:18; Isa_11:9;


Isa_65:20-25; Rev_20:1-15).

(3) God is King (Ps 10:16).

16] The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

The wicked claim that there is no God (Ps 10:1-4),

The truth is that God is and that He rules over all! (See Ps 10:2:6; 5:2; 24:7-10; 29:10; 1 Sam. 8:6-7.)

After their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites sang praises to their King: “The LORD shall reign for ever and ever” (Ex. 15:18).

(4) God defends His own people (vv. 17-18).

17] LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

18] To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

The wicked boast (Ps 10:5-7) that they will not be moved;

God has other plans

God hears the prayers of the persecuted, He sees their plight, He strengthens their hearts for whatever trials He permits (Rom. 8:28), and He eventually judges those who abuse them.

People of faith can depend on the God of heaven, but the self-confident and arrogant “people of the earth” have no future with the Lord. Life without the Lord is empty and vain (Ps 49:12- 20; 62:9).

Christians have their citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20), and their names are written down in heaven (Luke 10:20).

They don’t belong to this world, although their ministry is in this world. God’s people have been “redeemed from the earth” (Rev. 14:3) and have heaven as their home.

The phrase “them that dwell on the earth” is found often in the book of Revelation 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8, 12, 14;


14:6; 17:2, 8 and describes not only where these unbelievers live but what they live for- the things of the earth.

The “earth dwellers” may seem to have the upper hand today, but wait until the Lord reveals His hand!


Psalm 11

Psa 11:1-7 ISV1 To the Director: A Davidic Song. I take refuge in the LORD. So how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains."?2 Look, the wicked have bent their bow and placed their arrow on the string, to shoot from the darkness at the upright in heart.3 When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?4 The LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD's throne is in the heavens. His eyes see, his glance examines humanity.5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence, he hates.6 He rains on the wicked burning coals and sulfur; a scorching wind is their destiny.7 Indeed, the LORD is righteous; he loves righteousness; the upright will see him face-to-face.

Psa 11:1-7 ESV1 To the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, "Flee like a bird to your mountain,2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a


scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

Psa Scripture Probable Occasion B.C.11 1Sa 19:3 When David was advised to flee to the

mountains 1062

It’s difficult to determine the historical background of this psalm.

David was often in danger, whether

in the court of Saul (1 Sam. 19:1), in the wilderness being chased by Saul, or during the rebellion of Absalom, his son.

David did flee from Saul’s court and hide in the wilderness for perhaps ten years, and he did abandon Jerusalem to Absalom and take refuge over the Jordan, both of which proved to be wise moves.

But during the crisis described in this psalm, David did not flee his post but remained on duty, trusting the Lord to protect him; and He did.

Whatever the crisis, the psalm teaches us that we must choose between fear (walking by sight) or trust (walking by faith), listening to human counsel or obeying the wisdom that comes from the Lord (James

Psalm 11 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]1] In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?What David Should Do (V. 1).

When the crisis arose, David’s counselors immediately told him to leave Jerusalem and head for the safety of the mountains.

They didn’t seem to have faith that the Lord could see him through (Ps 3:2; 4:6).


David used the imagery of the bird

But David didn’t need wings like a dove (Ps 55:6- 7);

He needed wings like an eagle (Isa. 40:31) so he could rise above the storm by faith and defeat his enemies.

The verb “flee” is in the plural and refers to David and his court.

It’s right for us to flee from temptation (2 Tim. 2:22) as Joseph did (Gen. 39:11-13),

It’s wrong to flee from the place of duty, as Nehemiah was invited to do (Neh. 6:10-11).

The leader who flees needlessly from the crisis is only a hireling and not a faithful shepherd (John 10:12-13).

[In the LORD put I my trust]Beware of listening to unwise counsel.

Put your faith in the Lord, and He will protect you and direct your paths

Sixteen Blessings of Trust in God1. Many blessings (Psa_2:12)2. Defense-protection (Psa_5:11)3. God’s abiding presence (Psa_9:10)4. Deliverance from enemies (Psa_17:7; Psa_37:40;

Psa_91:4-7)5. God a buckler and shield (Psa_18:30; Psa_91:4;

Psa_115:9-11; Pro_30:5)6. Goodness of God (Psa_31:19)7. Fruitfulness (Psa_34:22)8. Safe dwelling place (Psa_37:3)9. Food-daily supply (Psa_37:3)10. Answers to prayer (Psa_37:5)11. Freedom from fear (Psa_56:11; Psa_91:4-10)12. Immunity from evil and plagues (Psa_91:4, Psa_91:10)13. Stability (Psa_125:1)14. Fatness (Isa_55:2)15. Perfect peace (Isa_26:3)16. Everlasting strength (Isa_26:4)

“Flee” (verse 1) is in the plural: it refers to David and his court.


His advisors told him to flee (as a bird), but he refused. They lacked faith that God would see him through.

2] For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.What the Enemy Does (v. 2). “...lo” (look-verse 2): by sight, the threats were visible and real…

“For look” (NIV) suggests that these counselors are walking by sight and evaluating the situation from the human perspective. (See 2 Kings 6:8-23.)

It’s good to know the facts, but it’s better to look at those facts in the light of the presence and promises of God.

There was a secret plot afoot, not unusual in an Eastern palace

Perhaps this psalm was written during the early days of Absalom’s campaign (2 Sam. 15:1-6).

The bows and arrows may have been literal, but it’s more likely they are metaphors for deceptive and destructive words (Ps 57:4; 64:3-4; Prov. 26:18-19; Jer. 9:3, 8; 18:18).

David was upright before God (v. 2) and righteous (v. 3, 5), and he knew that the Lord was righteous and would do the right thing (v. 7).

This is why the righteous need to look to God as a refuge.

3] If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?What Can the Righteous Do? (V. 3). “Foundations” (verse 3): Make sure the foundations are right; constant examination (Cf. Rev 2 & 3)

David was God’s appointed king, so anything that attacked him personally would shake the very foundations of the nation.

God had abandoned Saul as king, and Absalom had never been chosen king, and both men weakened the foundations of divine government. (See Ps 75:3; 82:5.)


Society is built on truth, and when truth is questioned or denied, the foundations shake (Isa. 59:11-1 5).

“What can the righteous do?” has also been translated “What is the Righteous One doing?”

God sometimes “shakes things” so that His people will work on building the church and not focus on maintaining the scaffolding (Heb. 12:25-29; Hag. 2:6).

“Lay the foundations again!”

Each new generation must see to it that the foundations of truth and justice are solid.

Samuel laid again the foundations of the covenant (1 Sam. 12), and Ezra laid again the foundations of the temple (Ezra 3).

Despite all his trials, David lived to make preparations for the building of the temple and the organization of the temple worship.

During the checkered history of Judah, godly kings cleansed the land of idolatry and brought the people back to the true worship of the Lord.

Christ’s messages to the churches in Revelation 2-3 make it clear that local churches need constant examination to see if they’re faithful to the Lord, and we need to pray for a constant reviving work of the Spirit.

4] The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.The Lord is still in charge: What God Will Do (v. 4-7). When you look around, you see the problems,

When you look up to the Lord by faith, you see the answer to the problems.

When the outlook is grim, try the uplook!


“In the Lord I put my trust,” said David, for he knew that God was on the throne in His holy temple in heaven (Hab. 2:20; Isa. 6) and that He saw everything the enemy was doing.

“try” = testing metals by fire as in Jeremiah 11:20 and 17:10.

[his eyelids try, the children of men] His eyelids are drawn close together so as to get a more single, direct, and penetrating look at people.

God’s eyes penetrate into our hearts and minds (Heb. 4:12; Rev. 2:23).

The Lord tests the righteous to bring out the best in them

Satan tempts them to bring out the worst.

When we trust the Lord in the difficulties of life, our trials work for us and not against us (2 Cor. 4:7-18).

[heaven] The word "heaven" is used 716 times in Scripture, referring to the air, clouds, sky, expanse, stars, and the planet on which God dwells.

The word heaven is also used of that which is high (Gen_11:4; Deu_1:28).

Sixteen Facts about the Heavens:1. There are three heavens:

(1) Clouds (Gen_1:8-9; Job_26:8; Job_38:9, Job_38:25-34; Psa_77:17-18; Mat_24:30)

(2) Starry space (Gen_1:14-19; Gen_15:5)(3) The planet heaven (2Co_12:1-7)

2. Created by God (Gen_1:1; Gen_2:1; Isa_42:5; Isa_45:12-18)

3. Created before earth (Gen_1:1; Gen_2:1; Job_38:4-7).

4. How made? Materials were brought into existence by God’s Word and then formed by God’s hands. See The Works of God’s Hands.

5. When made? In the beginning-in the dateless past (Gen_1:1; Pro_8:22-31).

6. How long being created? Unknown. God took six days to


restore earth to a second habitable state (Genesis 1:3-2:25; Exo_20:8-11; Exo_31:17), but He could have taken much longer to create and form it and the vast heavens originally.

7. Why made? For habitation and maintaining life to glorify God and receive of His infinite blessings (Isa_45:18; Psa_8:3-8; Col_1:15-18; Rev_4:11).

8. Now inhabited (1Ki_22:19; 2Ki_21:3, 2Ki_21:5; 2Ki_23:4-5; 2Ch_18:18; Neh_9:6; Mat_22:30; Eph_3:15; Col_1:15-18; Rev_5:13; Rev_10:6; Rev_12:12; Rev_13:6; Rev_19:1).

9. Kingdoms in (Eph_3:9-10; Col_1:15-18; 1Pe_3:22).

10. Laws (Job_38:33; Jer_31:35-36; Jer_33:25; Eze_28:15).

11. Rulers (Gen_14:19, Gen_14:22; Gen_24:3, Gen_24:7; Dan_4:35; Mat_6:10; Mat_11:25).

12. How ruled? Not automatically, but by free moral and intelligent agents as earth was (Eze_28:11-17; Col_1:16-17; Dan_10:10-21; Zec_1:8-11; Zec_6:1-8). Lucifer was first ruler of earth (Isa_14:12-14; Eze_28:11-17) and man the present ruler (Gen_1:26-28; Psa_8:3-8). Such habitable planets as heaven are ruled by others (Col_1:15-18; Eph_3:9-10; 1Pe_3:22).

13. Rebellion and wars (Isa_14:12-14; Eze_28:11-17; Luk_10:18; Eph_2:1-3; Eph_6:10-18; 2Pe_3:5-8; Rev_12:7-12).

14. Punishment of rebels (Isa_14:12-14; Isa_24:21; Eze_28:11-17; Mat_8:29; Mat_25:41; 2Pe_2:4; Jud_1:6-7; Rev_9:1-21; Rev_12:7-12; Rev_20:10).

15. Immeasureable (see The Solar System).

16. Eight fallicies about the heavens:

(1) Heaven is only a state of being.(2) Sin cannot enter heaven. See 1Ki_22:19-27; Job_1:6;

Job_2:1; Isa_14:12-14; Luk_10:18; Rev_12:7-12.(3) Saved men send material up to heaven to build their

mansions. See Joh_14:1-3; Heb_11:16; Rev_21:1-27.(4) Nothing to do in heaven but rest.(5) Seven heavens. See 2Co_12:1-4.


(6) Heaven moved to earth. (Fact: one city from heaven will be moved to earth, not heaven itself. See Rev_21:1-27.)

(7) Saved to spend eternity in heaven. See Dan_7:18, Dan_7:22, Dan_7:27; Zec_14:5; Jud_1:14; Rev_5:10; Rev_20:1-10.

(8) Present heavens will cease to exist. (Fact: they will be renovated only. See 2Pe_3:10-13, notes.)

Fifty Facts about the Planet Heaven:1. Heaven is a created planet like earth (Gen_1:1; Gen_2:1)2. A better country (Heb_11:10-16)3. Highest planet (Eph_1:21; Eph_4:10; Heb_7:26)4. A paradise (2Co_12:1-4; Rev_2:7)5. God’s dwelling place (Deu_26:15; 1Ki_8:30, 1Ki_8:39,

1Ki_8:43, 1Ki_8:49)6. A heavenly country (Heb_11:14-18)7. Location: in the north part of the Universe, in relationship to

the earth (Isa_14:12-14; Psa_75:6-7); above (1Ki_8:23); and in the highest part of creation (Job_22:12; Luk_2:14; Eph_1:21; Eph_4:10)

8. Shape: round (Job_22:14; Psa_19:6) like the earth (Isa_40:22; Ecc_1:6)

9. Size: unknown, but perhaps larger than the earth, judging from the size of its cities (Rev_21:9-27), from the size of other planets compared to the earth (see The Solar System), and from the number of its inhabitants (Jer_33:22; Heb_12:22-23)

10. Has real cities (Heb_11:10-15; Heb_13:14; Rev_21:2, Rev_21:9-27)

11. Mansions (Joh_14:1-3)12. Temples (Psa_11:4; Rev_3:12; Rev_7:15; Rev_11:19;

Rev_14:17; Rev_15:5; Rev_16:1, Rev_16:17; Isa_6:1)13. Foundations (2Sa_22:8; Psa_102:25)14. Tabernacle (Psa_15:1; Rev_21:3)15. Sanctuary (Heb_8:2, Heb_8:5; Heb_9:11, Heb_9:23-24)16. Ark of the testament (Rev_11:19)17. Golden altar, censer, etc. (Rev_8:3-5)18. Fire, tongs, etc. (Isa_6:1-7)19. Thrones (Isa_6:1; Dan_7:9-10; Rev_3:21; Rev_4:2,

Rev_4:4; Rev_22:3)20. Books (Luk_10:20; Heb_12:23; Rev_5:1; Rev_13:8;


Rev_20:11-15; Rev_22:19)21. Swords, sickles (1Ch_21:16, 1Ch_21:27, 1Ch_21:30;

Rev_14:14, Rev_14:17, Rev_14:18; Rev_19:21)22. Keys, chains (Rev_9:1; Rev_20:1)23. Trumpets (Rev_8:2)24. Bowls (Rev_15:7)25. Tables (Luk_22:30)26. Food (Rev_2:7, Rev_2:17; Rev_22:1-3)27. Chariots (2Ki_2:11; 2Ki_6:17; Psa_68:17; Eze_1:15-28;

Zec_6:1-8)28. Furniture (Heb_8:5; Heb_9:23; Exo_25:40)29. Floors, rainbows, lightnings, thunders, lamps (Rev_4:3,

Rev_4:5-6; Rev_15:2)30. Fountains of waters (Rev_7:17)31. Rivers of water (Rev_22:1)32. Musical instruments (Rev_4:8-11; Rev_5:8-14; Rev_7:7-17;

Rev_14:1-5; Rev_15:2-4; Rev_19:1-10)33. Clothing (Dan_7:9; Dan_10:5; Mat_28:3; Act_1:10;

Rev_4:4; Rev_6:9-11; Rev_7:9-17; Rev_16:6; Rev_19:8)34. Feasts (Luk_22:16, Luk_22:30)35. Drinks (Luk_22:18; Rev_7:17)36. Bread (Psa_78:24-25; Exo_16:1-36; Joh_6:31)37. Roast lamb (Luk_22:16)38. Fruits (Rev_2:7; Rev_22:2)39. Hidden manna (Rev_2:17)40. Animals (2Ki_2:11; 2Ki_6:17; Zec_1:8, Zec_1:10; Zec_6:1-

5; Rev_19:11, Rev_19:14, Rev_19:21)41. Stones (Jos_10:11)42. Pillars (Job_26:11)43. Innumeral inhabitants (Jer_33:22; Heb_12:22-23;

Rev_12:12; Rev_13:6)44. Armies (Dan_4:35)45. Trees (Rev_2:7; Rev_22:1-3)46. Streets (Rev_22:1-3)47. Mountains (Rev_14:1; Heb_12:22-23; Zec_6:1)48. All material things like we have on earth (Rom_1:20;

Php_2:10)49. Things not lawful to utter-things which man would not

believe if he heard of them (1Co_2:9-10; 2Co_12:1-4; 1Pe_1:4)


50. People have been taken to heaven and have lived there in natural bodies for thousands of years (Gen_5:24; 2Ki_2:1, 2Ki_2:11; Zec_14:11-14; Heb_11:5; Rev_11:3-11)

5] The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.[trieth the righteous] The Lord tests the righteous (Gen_22:1-24).

[soul hateth] God has a personal soul-the seat of emotions.

6] Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.God is completely righteous in all His dealings with free moral agents.

David’s Imagery for Judgment• Fire & Brimstone (Gen 19:24; Isa 30:33; Rev 9:17).• Scorching wind (Ps 18:4-19).• Poisonous cup (Ps75:8; Isa 51:17,22; Jer 25:15-17; Ezek

38:22; Rev 14:10;16:19; 18:6).

David uses three images to describe the judgment that God has prepared for the wicked.

He saw fire and brimstone descend on them, such as the Lord sent on Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24; see also Isa. 30:33; Rev. 9:17).

He beheld a terrible storm destroying the enemy, a “scorching wind” such as often blew from the desert (

David used the image of the storm in his song about his deliverance from his enemies and King Saul (Ps 18:4-19).

The third image is that of a poisonous potion in a cup

“Drinking the cup” is often a picture of judgment from the Lord (Ps 75:8; Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15-17; Rev. 14:10; 16:19; 18:6).

On the Lord’s hatred of evil and violent people, see Psalm 5:5.


7] For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.God has planned for His own people “The upright will behold His face” (Ps 17:15; 1 John 3:1-3.)

To “see the face” means to have access to a person, such as “to see the king’s face” (2 Sam. 14:24).

To “see His face” implies access (Num 6:22-27).

For God to turn His face away is to reject us, but for Him to look upon us with delight means He is going to bless us

When Jesus returns, those who have rejected Him will be cast “away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power” (2 Thess. 1:8-10; Matt. 7:21-23), while His own children will be welcomed into His presence (Matt. 25:34).


Psalm 12Psa 12:1-8 ESV1 To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,4 those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?"5 "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.7 You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

Psa 12:1-8 ISV1 To the Director: On an eight stringed harp. A Davidic Psalm. Help, LORD, for godly people no longer exist; trustworthy people have disappeared from humanity.2 Everyone speaks lies to his neighbor; they speak with flattering lips and hidden motives.3 The LORD will cut off all slippery lips, and the tongue that boasts great things,4 those who say, "By our tongues we will prevail; our lips belong to us. Who is master over us?"5 "Because the poor are being oppressed, because the


needy are sighing, I will now arise," says the LORD, "I will establish in safety those who yearn for it."6 The words of the LORD are pure, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.7 You, LORD, will keep them safe, you will guard them from this generation forever.8 The wicked, however, keep walking around, exalting the vileness of human beings.


Our ability to speak and write words is a precious gift of God, and this psalm deals with the right and wrong use of that gift.

The Book of Psalms: Psalm 12[To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.]Sheminith 8th group or division sounding the octaves.

H8066 שמיני semiyniy: An adjective meaning eighth.

An ordinal number that points out the eighth of something in a series: the eighth year (1Ki_6:38); the eighth month (1Ki_12:32); the eighth day (Exo_22:30 [29]; Lev_9:1) – a new week, the 8th note of the musical scale – a new octave

1] Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.The Righteous-Despairing Words (V. 1). In Psalm 11, the foundations of society were shaking (v. 3), but here David cried out for help (salvation, deliverance) because the godly remnant of faithful believers was getting smaller and smaller.


This wasn’t the complaint of a man longing for “the good old days.”

It was the cry of a truly faithful servant of God who wanted to see his nation, Israel, fulfill her divine purposes on earth.

The faithfulness of Israel involved bringing the Savior into the world and blessing all the nations (Gen. 12:1-3).

David wasn’t alone in his concern. Elijah thought he was the only faithful prophet left (1 Kings 18:22; 19:10, 18),

The prophets Isaiah (Isa. 57:1) and Micah (Mic. 7:1- 7) expressed their concern at the absence of righteous leaders. (See also Ps. 116:1; EccI. 10:5-7; Jer. 5:1.)

When he wrote 1 Timothy, Paul lamented over what “some” were doing in the church (1 Tim 1:3, 6, 19; 4:1; 5:15; 6:10), but in 2 Timothy, that “some” had become “all” (2 Tim 1:15; 4:16). One of the tragedies today is that a new generation of believers doesn’t seem to know what it takes to be a godly leader, so they borrow leadership ideas from secular society and choose all kinds of unequipped and unqualified people to be leaders.

End-Time Faith Will the faith be found among men at His second coming?

When all who are saints before the tribulation will have been raptured? (1Th_4:16; 2Th_2:7-8, note.)

When men that are left will be at the height of apostasy? (Mat_24:24; 1Ti_4:1-16; 2Ti_3:5; 2Ti_4:1-4; 2Th_2:1-17; Rev_9:20-21; Rev_13:1-18.)

When those who get saved during the tribulation will be killed by the multitudes? (Rev_6:9-11; Rev_7:9-17; Rev_13:16-18; Rev_15:2-4; Rev_20:4-6.)

Luk 18:7-8 KJV And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

The WIcked-DeceptIve Wods (w. 2-4).


One mark of a Spirit-filled believer is the ability to detect lies and liars and avoid them (1 John 2:18-29), and David knew that he was living in a society controlled by deception.

It wasn’t that only a few people were telling lies; deception was a major characteristic of the whole generation. (Ps 5:9; 28:3; 34:13; 55:21; 141:3.)

2] They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

[Help] Hebrew: yasha‛ (H3467), save; give safety. Translated help 12 times (Psa_12:1; Psa_116:6; Exo_2:16-19; 2Sa_10:11, 2Sa_10:19; 2Sa_14:4; 2Sa_19:1; 2Ki_6:26-27; 1Ch_19:12, 1Ch_19:19; 2Ch_20:9).The faithful cry out due to the apparent dearth of faithful leaders (1 Kgs 18:22;19:10,18; Isa 57:1; Micah 7:1-7).

Five reasons for calling for help:1. The godly (saintly) man ceases to exist.2. The faithful man has passed away.3. The wicked speak vanity (Psa_12:2).4. They speak flattery.5. They speak with a double heart.

Saul used lies to deceive his leaders about David, and Absalom used flattery to poison the minds of the naive people of Israel against David. Flattery is not communication; it’s manipulation (Prov. 26:28; 28:23).

Even in Christian ministry it’s possible to use flattery to influence people and exploit them (1 Thess. 2:1-6; Acts 20:28-31).

Flattery plays on the ego and especially influences people who want to appear important (Jude 11).

You can flatter yourself (Ps 36:2), others (Ps 5:9; 12:2), and even God (Ps 78:34-37).

What the lips speak comes from the heart (Matt. 12:33-37)


This is the opposite of the “perfect heart,” total loyalty to God and His truth (Ps 86:11; 1 Chron. 12:33, 38; Rom. 16:17-1 8).

David accuses these liars of duplicity, which is a divided heart (literally “a heart and a heart”).

Double-speak from double hearts!

If David were alive today and witnessed the propaganda and promotion that make up what we casually call “the media”, he describe today’s “communication” as he did centuries ago:

empty and useless words (“vanity”), smooth talk (“flattery”), double-talk from double hearts, and boastful talk or “proud words.”

Political correctness-and its popularity in almost every area of human life is evidence that language and communication are in serious trouble.

On uNIVersity campuses, what once was called “Home Economics” is now “The College of Applied Life Studies.”

In Tucson, Arizona, potholes are no more, are now known as “pavement deficiencies.”

“new taxes” are “revenue enhancements,” a

In military jargon, “retreat” is “backloading of augmentation personnel.”

If, while you’re “backloading,” you get shot, the bullet hole is “a ballistically induced aperture in the subcutaneous environment.”

This kind of artificial evasive language is “doublespeak,”

3] The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Two things God will cut off:

1. All flattering lips Flattery is manipulation.Great words of promise and flattery (2Pe_2:18-19).

2. Tongues that speak proud things Quoted in Jas_3:5.


“proud words,” boastful speech that impresses people by its oratory and vocabulary.

“Great swelling words” is the phrase used in 2 Peter 2:18 and Jude 16.

Daniel (Dan 7:20, 25) and John (Rev. 13:2, 5) both tell us that the Antichrist will speak in this way and rule the world.

This kind of speech is motivated by pride and is used by people who think they’re in control and will never need to answer to anybody, including the Lord.

4] Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?Their lips are their own, and they can speak just as they please.

[With our tongue will we prevail] The smooth tongued man others (Psa_5:9; Psa_36:2; Psa_55:21; Psa_78:36; Pro_5:3; Pro_7:5, Pro_7:21; Pro_20:19; Pro_26:28; Pro_28:23; Pro_29:5; 1Th_2:5; Jud_1:16).

[our lips are our own] Many think that because they have a gift for speaking they can say what they please, but such shall receive greater damnation (Mat_12:36-37; Jas_3:1).

The Lord-Delivering Words (w. 5-8)5] For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

God will arise and judge two things:1. Oppression of the poor2. Causing the needy to shriek

God sees the oppression of the weak (Ex. 3:7) and hears the pain in their cries,

He declares that He will arise and judge the liars and deceivers.

“I will arise” takes us back to Ps 3:7; 7:6; 9:19; 10:12 and Num. 10:35 and Isa. 33:10-12.


Safety H3468 ישע yesa‛, ישע yesa‛: A masculine noun meaning deliverance, rescue, liberty, welfare, salvation.

“Safety” (“protect,” NIV) in verse 5 comes from the same Hebrew root as “help” in verse 1

It is the basis for the names “Jesus” and “Joshua” (“Jehovah is salvation”).

David used the word salvation to describe the hope and welfare he had in the midst of strife due to his covenant with God (2Sa_23:5).

God saves communities, as when He promised relief to Jerusalem (Isa_62:11) as well as individuals (Mic_7:7).

The last phrase in verse 5 should read as in the New American Standard Bible: “the safety for which he longs.”

When God comes to deliver His people, He will “cut off” those who practice flattery and deception (Ps 12:3), which means separation from the covenant community (Gen. 17:14), like the separation of the goats from the sheep (Matt. 25:31 -33).

6] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.Twelve Things about the Word in Psalms

1. It is pure (Psa_12:6; Psa_119:140).2. It is tried (Psa_12:6; Psa_18:30).3. It is right (Psa_33:4).4. It creates (Psa_33:6).5. It heals (Psa_107:20).6. It quickens (Psa_119:25, Psa_119:50, Psa_119:154).7. It is eternal (Psa_119:89).8. It is sweet (Psa_119:103).9. It is a lamp to the feet (Psa_119:105).10. It is a light (Psa_119:130).11. It is true (Psa_119:160).12. It controls the weather (Psa_147:18; Psa_148:8).


The Lord’s Word is precious and must be valued (Ps 119:14, 72, 127, 162).

Unlike the worthless words of the deceivers, the Word of the Lord is like precious silver (Ps 19:9-10) that is heated seven times in the crucible before it is poured out into the mold.

Purified of all impurities in a furnace or crucible, purified of all dross.

His words are pure; flawless; can be relied upon.

How paradoxical that society today sees the Scriptures as something relatively worthless and yet pays great sums of money to the people who manufacture deception and flattery.

The things that God abhors have become “exalted” in our entertainments

No matter how many lies this generation tells, God’s Word is safe, for He said, “I am watching over My word to perform it” (Jer. 1:12 NASB).

He exalts His Word even above His Name (Ps 138:2).

7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.God is able to protect His godly people from the lies of the enemy.

God’s people are “the generation of the righteous” (Ps 14:5), the generation that seeks God (Ps 24:6), the generation of His children (Ps 73:15), the generation of the upright (Ps 112:2).

1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

The church is always one generation short of extinction, so we must be faithful to win the lost and teach the believers, or vileness will conquer the land.

If God’s people will saturate themselves with God’s Word, they won’t be seduced by “this lying generation.”


When the church adopts the techniques and motives of the world system, the church ceases to glorify the Lord.

8] The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.The final verse issues a call to action, for “the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land” (NLT).

Vileness (“cheapness”) is promoted and exalted in the media: immorality, brutality, murder, lies, drunkenness, nudity, the love of money, the abuse of authority.

The things that God condemns are now a means of universal entertainment, and the entertainment industry gives awards to the people who produce these things.

People boast about things they ought to be ashamed of (Phil. 3:18-19).

Isa 5:18-23 ISV "How terrible it will be for those who parade iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin along as with a cart rope; 19 who say: 'Let God be quick, let him speed up his work so we may see it! Let it happen! let the plan of the Holy One of Israel draw near, so we may recognize it!'"

20 "How terrible it will be for those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute what is bitter for what is sweet and what is sweet for what is bitter!"

21 "How terrible it will be for those who are wise in their own opinion, and clever in their own reckoning!

22 "How terrible it will be for those who are heroes at drinking wine, and champions in mixing strong drink, 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of justice!"

God’s people are still (or could be) salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16).

If there were more light in the land, there would be less darkness, and


If we had more salt, there would be less decay.

As God’s people worship God, pray, and share the gospel with the lost, more people will trust Christ and increase the salt and light in the land.

We must also share the truth of the Word with the next generation (2 Tim. 2:2) and prepare them for the battles and opportunities to come (Ps 78:1-8; 102:18).

2Ch 7:14 …. when my people humble themselves-the ones who are called by my name-and pray, seek me, and turn away from their evil practices, I myself will listen from heaven, I will pardon their sins, and I will restore their land.


Psalm 13 Psa 13:1-6 ISV1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm. How long? LORD, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long must I struggle in my soul at night and have sorrow in my heart during the day? How long will my enemy rise up against me?3 Look at me! Answer me, LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes! Otherwise, I will sleep in death;4 Otherwise, my enemy will say, "I have overcome him;" Otherwise, my persecutor will rejoice when I am shaken.5 As for me, I have trusted in your gracious love, my heart will rejoice in your deliverance.6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psa 13:1-6 ESV1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,4 lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.



The Book of Psalms: Psalm 13This psalm was probably written during David’s difficult years of exile when King Saul was pursuing him.

This was perhaps written during his sin with Bathsheba or during his reaping in the rebellion of Absalom (2Sa 11:1-18:33)

It could not have been written during the captivity in Babylon which was long after David’s time.

[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]1] How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?2] How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?The Inward Struggle-HIs FeelIngs (vv 1-2). In this brief psalm, David deals with his feelings, his foes, and his faith.

“There is one step between me and death” (1 Sam 20:3).

“My times are in your hands” (Ps 31;15).

Feelings are deceptive and undependable (Jer 17:9).

There were storm clouds in the sky, hiding the sun, but the sun was still shining.

By the grace of God, David turned his sufferings into songs and left those songs behind to encourage us in our trials (2Co 1:2-11).

[How long …?] is a familiar question in Scripture (Ps 6:3) and is a perfectly good question to ask if your heart is right with God.

The saints in heaven even ask it (Rev. 6:10).


When we’re in trouble and pray for help, but none comes, we tend to feel deserted.

Repeated four times in Psa_13:1-2 :

1. God will never forget.

2. God will never hide His face unless sin is involved. Then He will turn from the sinner as long as he lives in sin (Gal_6:7-8).

3. Man can take counsel in his soul and have sorrow as long as he chooses. He can stop when he chooses (Isa_26:3; Mat_6:25-34; Php_4:8).

4. The enemy will be exalted as long as sin is committed (1Jn_3:8; Joh_8:44) or as long as reaping is necessary (Gal_6:7-8).

To behold God’s face by faith and see His glory were always an encouragement to David (Ps 11:7; 17:15; 27:4, 8; 31:16; 34:5; 67:1), but now he felt abandoned.

David felt that God was ignoring him and that this alienation was final and complete.

He felt that God was hiding His face from him instead of smiling upon him (see Ps 30:7; 44:24; Lam. 5:20).

These complaints of David are normal for man who is oppressed, condemned, and reaping what he sows.

Faith is living without scheming.

It means not leaning on our own experiences and skills and trying to plot our own schedule (Prov. 3:5-6).

Feeling like he was left to himself, David tried to devise various ways to overcome the enemy (“wrestle with my thoughts,” v. 2 NIV), but nothing seemed to satisfy him.

It’s a dangerous thing to give in to our feelings, because feelings are deceptive and undependable (Jer. 17:9).

When Jacob heard the news about Simeon being left hostage in Egypt, he gave up and announced that everything was against him (Gen. 42:36) when actually God was causing everything to work for him.


We must not deny our feelings and pretend that everything is going well. There is no sin in asking, “How long?”

But at the same time, we must realize how deceptive our feelings are and that God is greater than our hearts (1 John 3:20) and can lift us above the emotional storms of life.

David eventually learned to replace the question “How long, O LORD?” with the affirmation “My times are in thy hand” (Ps 31:15).

A lesson that all believers must learn.

3] Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;The Outward Danger-HIs Foes (vv. 3-4). It’s good to have peace within you, but you also need protection around you.

[Consider and hear me, O LORD: lighten mine eyes]

David prayed to the Lord and made three requests.

1. Consider me

“Look on me,” was a plea for the Lord to fix His eyes on His servant and scrutinize him.

David felt that God had hidden His face, and he wanted Him to turn His face toward him again.

2. Hear me

His second request was that the Lord answer him and send some kind of encouragement.

David felt that he had been deserted and that his prayers were accomplishing nothing.

3. Lighten my eyes (receive me)

This involved not only spiritual enlightenment (19:8) but also physical and emotional vitality and strength (Ezra 9:8; 1 Sam. 14:24-30).

When the mind and body are weary, how easy it is to be discouraged!


4] Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.Perhaps David was even ill and in danger of death (Ps 13:3; see 7:5).

[lest I sleep the sleep of death]

Three reasons:1. Lest I die.2. Lest my enemy brag of victory (Psa_13:4).3. Lest those that tempt me rejoice over my fall.

People might underestimate God, and think He couldn’t fulfill His promises…

As much as David was concerned about his own needs, he was concerned even more with the glory of God (Ps 13:4).

God had chosen David and had commanded Samuel to anoint him king, and if David failed, God’s name would be ridiculed.

“Don’t allow the enemy to gloat over me!” was his prayer.

[moved] The word moved in verse 4 means “to waver, to be agitated, to totter and shake” (Ps10:6).

If David began to waver, the faithful people of the land would think that God was unable to fulfill His own promises. (Ps 35:19-21; 38:16-17.)

5] But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.6] I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.The Upward Look-HIs Faith (vv. 5-6). In their false confidence, let the enemy rejoice, but David will rejoice in the Lord his God!

“But”: the transition from fear to faith; from questioning to claiming God’s promises

God’s people live on promises, not explanations.


God’s people don’t live on explanations; they live on promises, and those promises are as unchanging as the character of God.

“According to your faith be it unto you” (Matt. 9:29).

David’s feelings had been on a roller coaster, but God was still on the throne, and His character had not changed.

God’s mercy (steadfast love) was all that David needed, for it would never fail (see Ps 25:6; Isa. 63:9; Lam. 3:22- 23).

Salvation = Yeshua!

Relying on the Lord leads to rejoicing in the Lord and His salvation (yeshua).

The word bountiful focuses on the goodness of God and His generosity in dealing with His people in grace. (See Ps 103:2; 116:7; 119:17; 142:7.)

The NIV translates it, “[The Lord] has been good to me.”

David’s circumstances haven’t changed, but the Lord has changed him, and that occurred when David stopped looking at his feelings and his foes and by faith started looking to the Lord.

[thy mercy] God’s mercy is conditionally promised to all men (Exo_20:6; Exo_34:6-7; 2Ch_30:9; Psa_62:12; Isa_55:7; Rom_2:4-10; Eph_2:4; Tit_3:5; 1Pe_1:3; 1Pe_2:10).

[my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation]

Two effects of trusting God’s grace:1. Rejoicing in salvation2. Singing to God (Psa_13:6)


Psalm 14 Psa 14:1-7 ESV1 To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge.7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psa 14:1-7 ISV1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm. Fools say to themselves, "There is no God." They are corrupt and commit evil deeds; not one of them practices what is good.2 The LORD looks down from the heavens upon humanity to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God.3 All have turned away, together they have become corrupt; no one practices what is good, not even one.4 Will those who do evil ever learn? They devour my people like they devour bread, and never call on the LORD.5 There they are seized with terror, because God is with those who are righteous.6 You would frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the


LORD is their refuge.7 May Israel's deliverance come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.


The “Practical Atheist”Psalm 14 identified two groups: “the workers of iniquity” (Ps 10 & 12) and “the generation of the righteous”-the believing remnant (Mal 3:16-18).

Psalm 14 deals with the character and conduct of the “practical atheist” and adds to the messages of Psalms 10 and 12.

The three psalms present a vivid picture of the ungodly

- their proud attitude (Ps 10), - their deceitful words (Ps 12), and - now their corrupt deeds (Ps 14).

All that they are, say, and do comes from their arrogant (and ignorant) belief that “there is no God.”

Note: Psalm 15 is not a prescription for being saved, but a description of how saved people ought to behave if they would

please God and fellowship with Him.

Psalm 14 is duplicated in Psalm 53 with two changes:

Psalm 53 uses the name “God” (Elohim) instead of “Jehovah” and replaces Ps 14:6 with an addition to verse 5.

David contrasted “the workers of iniquity” in Israel with the godly remnant (“the generation of the righteous” vv. 4-5) who sought God and obeyed the terms of His covenant.

During the reign of King Saul, the spiritual level of the nation was very low, and many Jews followed the bad example of Israel’s first king.


But even in the worst of times, God has cared for His faithful remnant and has been their refuge in times of trouble.

Note the characteristics of the “practical atheists.”

The Book of Psalms: Psalm 14[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]1] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.Willful Folly-They Ignore God (w. 1-3). The “Fool” [April 1st is “Atheist’s Day.”]

Our English word fool comes from a Latin word that means “bellows,” suggesting that the fool is a person “a blowhard”; “full of hot air.”

In the Hebrew language, there are three basic words for “fool”: kesyl, the dull, stupid fellow, simpleton, arrogant one

ewiyl, the unreasonable and perverted fool; foolish; of one who despises wisdom; of one who mocks when guilty; one who is quarrelsome, licentious; and

nabal, lacking moral sense; the brutish person who is like a stubborn animal.

Hebrew: nabal (H5036), stupid, wicked, impious, vile. From nabel (H5034), to fall away, lightly esteem.

Translated "fool" (Psa_14:1; Psa_53:1; 2Sa_3:33; 2Sa_13:13; Job_30:8; Pro_17:7, Pro_17:21; Pro_30:22; Jer_17:11);

foolish (Deu_32:6, Deu_32:21; Job_2:10; Psa_39:8; Psa_74:13, Psa_74:22; Eze_13:3); and

vile person (Isa_32:5-6).

Nabal is the word used in Ps 14:1, and it was the name of a man who was brutish and refused to help David (1 Sam. 25).


[said in his heart, There is no God.]

Two things fools say:

1. There is no God (Psa_14:1; Psa_53:1).2. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry (Luk_12:18-19).

People who say “There is no God” are not necessarily lacking normal intelligence; in fact, they may have good minds.

They lack spiritual wisdom and insight.

The nabal fool has a moral problem in the heart, not a mental problem in the head.

The American evangelist Billy Sunday used to say that sinners can’t find God for the same reason criminals can’t find policemen-they aren’t looking!

Nabal fools are self-righteous and don’t need or want God.

They want to live their own lives the way they please.

Their problem is willful ignorance and not lack of normal intelligence (2 Peter 3:5; Rom. 1:18-28).

[corrupt, they have done abonimable works]

The Hebrew word for corrupt means “rotten, putrid, decayed.”

It is used to describe Jeremiah’s useless sash (Jer. 13:7).

By leaving God out of their lives, they cause their inner person to become more and more corrupt-the heart (v. 1), the mind (vv. 2, 4), and the will (v. 3).

[there is none that doeth good] Quoted in Rom_3:10-12.

Twelve Characteristics of Fools1. Deny the existence of God2. Live corrupt lives3. Do abominable works4. Are without understanding (Psa_14:2)5. Ignore God-do not seek Him6. Are not good, not one (Psa_14:1, Psa_14:3)7. Have all gone astray from God (Psa_14:3)8. Have become filthy in life9. Live in ignorance of God (Psa_14:4)


10. Destroy God’s people11. Never pray12. Oppress the poor (Psa_14:5)

2] The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.[looked down from heaven] Literally, bowed Himself over to get a closer look at men and their wicked ways (Psa_53:2; cp. Gen_11:5; Gen_18:21).

When God looks down to investigate (Gen. 6:5, 11-12; 18:21),

Note what He saw (Psa_14:1, Psa_14:3-6).

He sees people who are filthy (v. 3), a word that describes milk that has become rancid.

[children of men] I.e., the sons of Adam whom He created.

[to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God]

This is what God is constantly looking for among men (Psa_33:13-14; Psa_69:20; Job_33:27; Isa_63:5).

3] They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one

[gone aside, they are all together become filthy] A statement of fact-the whole race had left God and the straight way for crooked paths.

The denial of God is the first step in total apostasy (Rom_1:21-32)

“Gone aside” means they have turned their backs on God (Jer. 2:21) and refuse to fulfill the purpose for which they were created-to glorify God.

This indictment is universal:

All people, individually or all together, cannot do anything at all that is good enough to merit heaven-no one, no, not one.


Paul quotes from this passage in Romans 3 as part of his proof that the whole world is guilty before God and can be saved only by the grace of God as revealed in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:9-26).

Human depravity doesn’t mean that all persons are as wicked as they can be, or that all are equally bad, or that no man or woman can ever do anything good (Luke 11:13).

It simply means that all have a fallen nature they cannot change and that apart from the grace of God none can be saved from eternal judgment.

[become filthy] Becoming filthy is the result of forsaking God and going aside.

[there is none that doeth good, no, not one] See Ps 14:1 and quoted in Rom_3:10-18.

Ten "Isms" in Error about God1. Atheism, a denial of the existence of God.

This is the belief of fools (Psa_14:1; Psa_53:1).

2. Agnosticism, not knowing-I do not know. It denies the ability to know God, or that God can be known.

This is contrary to Scripture which pictures God as being clearly understood, even to His eternal power and Godhead (note, Rom_1:20).

3. Polytheism, the belief in many gods-gods for everything in nature and for every phase of life.

This is the result of apostasy (Rom_1:21-25).

4. Pantheism, all is God-God is in all things, animals, trees, etc. This teaching, like others, is a result of apostasy (Rom_1:21-25).

5. Dualism, two eternal and opposing principles, or beings-one good and the other evil.

6. Deism. God created the world, as a watchmaker fashions a watch, and set it in motion to run by itself without divine interference.


This is based on natural reasoning, with disbelief in revealed religion and the supernatural dogmas of Christianity; natural religion based on reason.

7. Monism. All things are made of one substance; Man and God are one in essence and substance, though not necessarily the same individuals. The whole Universe and each thing in it is a manifestation of God.

8. Materialism. This denies any distinction between mind and matter.

All manifestations of life and all forces are properties of matter. It gives priority to matter rather than mind. Man’s brain secretes thought as the liver secretes bile. Man is a mere machine, not responsible for his actions.

9. Metaphysicalism. This is the speculative theory of mind over matter. Everything is mind; there is no matter.

God is universal mind. Matter, material creations, sin, death, a personal God, a personal Christ, a personal Holy Spirit, atonement, sickness, pain, suffering, a personal devil, demons, and angels are said to be errors of the mortal mind.

10. Unitarianism-a doctrine which denies the Divine Trinity..

Eight Arguments for God’s Existence1. Creation.

That the material worlds had a beginning is not only declared by Scripture, but is confirmed by geology, astronomy, and other sciences.

Everything begun owes its existence to some producing cause greater than its production.

Since creations are great, the cause of them must be infinitely greater. The cause must be intelligent and personal, for pure force is not personal.

The original cause must be aside and apart from the things caused.


This is God-the cause of all causes. Creation proves this.

To think of the vast array of creation-from the stars and planets in the Universe to the various forms of life-without concluding that some intelligent being planned, designed, and formed them, is blind and willful unbelief.

It is like thinking there is no intelligent person responsible for every watch, car, radio, television, or any other human invention.

If someone made all these things, certainly someone made the vast creations in space.

The heavens do declare the glory of God. The firmament does show His handiwork (Psa_19:1-6).

We can understand God by His creation (Rom_1:19-20; Job_12:7-25; Job 38:1-41:34).

2. Design.

The design and purpose of all creation proves an intelligent Designer to order and direct all things to useful ends.

Nature without God would be like a piece of complicated machinery without a designer, maker, and maintenance man.

Who but God orders, arranges, and maintains the vast Universe and all life in it to the minutest detail?

Who causes the solar systems to run eternally in their own orbits and spheres without the slightest deviation from fixed laws?

Just as the Bible was not written and produced by the laws of spelling and grammer, but by intelligent minds according to those laws, so the Universe was not created by the laws of nature, but by an intelligent Being who made all things, established the laws of nature, and upholds them by His own power (Heb_1:3).

The average snow storm produces about 1 trillion crystals.


Yet out of thousands of pictures of snow flakes catalogued, no two are exactly alike. Only an intelligent Being could design so many forms.

Each flake has 6 points crossing at a 60 degree angle.

If one is like a fern it has 6 outpointing leaves;

If like a windmill, it has 6 sails;

If like a starfish, 6 ribs; or

If like a fir tree, 6 stems with plumes set in perfect symmetry.

This makes 3 distinct triangles to each flake.

The Hebrew word for snow equals 333 (Hebrew letters stand for numbers).

God set His symbol of the Trinity in each flake?

This same infinite design is carried out with every detail of creation, proving an infinite mind.

If design is seen in such details as snow, how much more are they seen in larger and more visible creations in the earth and heavens?

3. Intuition.

This means direct, inborn, self-conscious, sense-perception knowledge; comprehension without effort or reasoning; instinctive knowledge.

All men have an intuitive belief in God.

Some have so ignored and stifled such natural faith by unnatural and destructive efforts that they no longer recognize it.

However, in times of sudden danger and in the face of difficulties they automatically call out to God for help.

This proves the intuition is still there, but suppressed.

Such faith is as much a part of man’s faculties as breathing, eating, drinking, etc.


It is as natural as the instinct of a chicken out of the shell who starts to peck in the sand for something to eat, or a calf who knows where to get its first milk.

The calf doesn’t peck the sand and a chicken would never go to a cow for milk.

Nothing in nature has to be educated to act according to its own special nature.

So man does not have to learn that there is a God. He knows intuitively that there is one and that in Him he lives, moves, and has his own being (Act_17:22-28).

4. Nature.

Man’s moral and spiritual nature knows there is a God who approves or condemns all acts of right or wrong.

Conscience is the voice of God in man.

Moral law makes him a responsible creature and requires him to consecrate himself to fulfilling the highest good of being and of the Universe.

It must be that there is a God or moral nature is a lie.

Man’s native obligation to moral law implies a moral Lawgiver and moral Governor of the Universe.

Willing or unwilling, man lives in the sense of such a Presence in his life and conduct.

It lives in constant respect and fear of the pleasure or displeasure of Him

Conscience does not lay down the law but it recognizes it.

Thus man’s moral and intellectual being proves the existence of God to whom he is responsible.

5. Universal hunger.

Physical hunger argues and demands something to satisfy it.

When a man hungers for God, that hunger likewise argues and demands Someone to satisfy it.


All men hunger for spiritual satisfaction and long for a Savior to deliver them from the ills and curses of life.

There must be a supreme Being capable of meeting this universal craving when men turn to Him and meet His terms of reconciliation and fellowship (Joh_3:16-20; 2Co_5:17-21; 2Co_6:14-18; 1Jn_1:1-9)

6. Harmony.

To believe in the existence of God is the only natural, practical, beneficial, satisfying, factual, necessary, and Scriptural way to believe.

When one has the key that will unlock a door he knows he has the right key.

Even so, when one has the answer to every question, the explanation for every mystery, the satisfaction to every hunger and desire, the answer to the perplexing problems of the past, present, and future-he knows that he is right in believing there is a God.

Atheism doesn’t solve a single problem.

It makes lies of nature, creation, the Bible, and God, and leaves helpless and floundering man a victim of misery and despair.

7. History.

The record of events in all history gives overwhelming evidence of the existence and providence of God

- in the rise and fall of nations, the preservation of races, the government of peoples, and innumerable events which had no natural or possible explanation other than the acts of a supernatural Being called God.

Multitudes of men have been blessed by Him and redeemed from lives of sin and shame.

Some have seen God with the natural eyes.

Others have had visions and revelations from Him.

Still others have known God in an intimate and personal way.


These millions of actual contacts and experiences cannot be denied.

Healings, miracles, deliverances, and real contacts with God have revolutionized individual lives and whole nations countless times.

To deny the existence of God is as foolish as to deny the existence of creation, electricity, heat, light, cold, and innumerable other things, seen and unseen.

Multitudes today can testify of changed lives by faith in God, answers to prayer, and personal experiences of many kinds.

While this is true among Christians, not one infidel, agnostic, or atheist can boast of any benefit whatsoever from his unbelief.

The acid test of Christianity and atheism is the actual benefits of their converts.

8. Scriptures.

The Bible begins by assuming, declaring the existence of God and His creation of all things (Gen_1:1; Job 38-40).

In over 20,000 statements about God in Scripture we get to know all that we need to know about the subject. Joh_4:24.

[ God ] Twenty-two Attributes of God 1. A Spirit Being with a personal spirit body, soul, and spirit

through which He manifests Himself (note, Joh_4:24).2. Invisibility (see Invisibility.3. Immortality (note, 1Ti_1:17).4. Eternality.5. Infiniteness: in presence (1Ki_8:27); power (Mat_28:18); acts

(Mat_19:26); in time (Deu_33:27; Psa_90:2; Isa_57:15); knowledge (Rom_11:33); and in greatness (Psa_145:3).

6. Oneness-in unity with others of the Godhead (The Trinity)7. Omnipotence (all powerful, Rev_19:6). God can do all things

consistent with His nature and plan, but He cannot lie or act contrary to Himself and the best good of all (see Thirty Limitations of God.


8. Omnipresence (not omnibody, 1Ki_8:27; Psa_139:7-12). Presence is not governed by physical contact, but by knowledge and relationship (Mat_18:20; Mat_28:20; cp. 1Co_5:3-4). God’s body is not omnipresent, for it is only at one place at one time like others (Gen_3:8; Gen_11:5; Gen_18:1-8, Gen_18:33; Gen_19:24; Gen_32:24-32), but His presence can be realized any place where men know Him and seek Him (Mat_18:20).

9. Omniscience (all-knowing) as far as His nature, plan, and work are concerned (Rom_11:33). As to free moral agents, God learns certain things about them (Gen_6:5-7; Gen_11:5-7; Gen_18:21; Gen_22:12; 2Ch_16:9; Job_12:22; Job_24:23; Psa_7:9; Psa_44:21; Psa_139:1-6; Pro_24:12; Jer_17:10; Eze_11:5; Zec_4:10; 2Co_2:10-11; Rom_8:27; 1Th_2:4). God sends messengers on innumerable errands to help Him carry on His rulership of all things (Dan_10:13-21; Dan_11:1; Dan_12:1; Zec_1:7-11; Zec_6:1-8; Mat_18:10-11; Heb_1:14). He permits free moral agents freedom of action as to their conduct and destiny (note, Rom_8:29).

10. Life (Jer_10:10; Joh_5:26; 1Th_1:9; Heb_7:16; Rev_11:11).

11. Self-existence (Exo_3:14; Exo_6:3; Joh_1:4; Joh_5:26).12. Immutability (Psa_102:27; Mal_3:6; 2Ti_2:13; Heb_6:18;

Jas_1:17). He is immutable as to His plan for the highest good of being and of the Universe. His plan includes change of methods or ways to save as many men as possible. For example, when He abolished the law of Moses it was no change in God’s plan, but rather the execution of that plan (2Co_3:6-15; Gal_3:19-25; Gal_4:21-34; Hebrews 7:11-10:18). When man fell and He had to send Christ, it was simply the fulfillment of the plan (Gen_3:15; Gal_3:13-14; Gal_4:4-5). The plan was made to be executed when obedience was rendered and terms met. See 210 Plain Laws and Warnings. When the terms are not met, it is not failure or change with God, but with man.

13. Perfection (Deu_32:4; Psa_18:30; Mat_5:48). If any imperfection is noted in creation or redemption it is sin and rebellion in free moral agents that have caused it. God does not change His original plan of creation and redemption. He


plans to redeem and restore all creation (except rebels) to perfection (Act_3:21; Eph_1:10; 1Co_15:24-28; Rev. 21-22).

14. Truth-the perfect harmony of God’s Word (Deu_32:4; Joh_17:3; 1Jn_5:20).

15. Wisdom (Rom_11:33; 1Ti_1:17).16. Love by which God communicates to others His infinite

goodness (Joh_3:16; Rom_15:30; 1Jn_4:8).17. Holiness-absolute purity of nature (Exo_15:11; Isa_6:3;

1Pe_1:16).18. Righteousness-holiness in action. All His acts are right

(Rom_3:21-31; Heb_12:5-12; 1Jn_1:9).19. Faithfulness-absolutely trustworthy (1Co_10:13; 2Co_1:20;

Heb_6:18).20. Mercifulness, which is divine goodness manifest to relieve

His creation of misery and suffering (Rom_12:1-2; 2Co_1:2; Tit_3:5).

21. Goodness-divine goodness by which life is preserved and mercy extended (Mat_5:45; Act_14:17; Rom_2:4).

22. Providence. God cares for and provides for all creation (Job_38:41; see The Doctrine of Providence).

All these attributes require a concept of God as having a soul with feelings, emotions, passions, and desires; as having a spirit of intelligence, will, self-consciousness, and self-determination; and as having a spirit body through which these faculties are manifested (see Anthropomorphism.

4] Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.5] There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.Paul quotes this in Romans 3:9-26; all are of a fallen race…willful

ignorance = 2 Pet 3:5; Rom 1:18-28. God is the general and refuge of the righteous.

[knowledge] The knowledge here is true understanding of the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom (Psa_111:10; Pro_1:7; Pro_9:10 Pro_15:33; Isa_11:2; 1Co_12:8).

[eat up my people as they eat bread] An idiom of destruction (Jer_10:25; Amo_8:4; Mic_3:3; Num_14:9).


[call not upon the LORD] The soil of prayerlessness produces a crop of sin and damnation (Gal_6:7-8).

[God is in the generation of the righteous] This gives the reason for the terrors of judgment upon the wicked.

God dwells among His people and reserves the right of vengeance for their mistreatment (Heb_10:30-31).

[generation of the righteous] Circle or class of the righteous.

Sudden Fear-They Meet God (w. 4-6). The time comes when God and the sinner suddenly meet. (See Beishazzar in Dan. 5, the rich farmer in Luke 12:13-21, and the people in Rev. 6:12These practical atheists take advantage of the weak and the poor, and they will not call upon the Lord.

To “eat people like bread” is a biblical metaphor for exploiting the helpless (Ps 27:2; 35:25; 53:4; Mic. 3:1-3; Lam. 2:16; and see Isa. 3:12; Jer. 10:25; Amos 2:6-8; Mic. 2:2; 7:2-3).

People must never be used as a means to an end or treated as consumer goods

Instead of praying to God, the wicked prey on the godly. But then the Lord suddenly appears in judgment, and He identifies Himself with the remnant of faithful believers.

We don’t know what event David was referring to, but the parallel passage in Ps 53:5 suggests a great military victory that left all the enemy dead, unburied, and therefore humiliated.

Some interpret the scene as a metaphor of a court case and connect it with verse 6: “You evildoers frustrate the plans [counsel] of the poor” (NIV).

Imagine God suddenly appearing in court and ousting the crooked judge!

God is in the generation of the righteous, God is their refuge when the enemy attacks, and God will protect His own people.

6] Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.


7] Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. [Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD

is his refuge] Your shame of the counsel of the oppressed has been in vain, for the Lord is his refuge.

[Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad] This verse is a prophetic cry for the Messiah who shall yet come to Zion and bring deliverance to Israel (Isa_59:20-21; Rom_11:25-29).

Joyless Future-They Have No God (V. 7).

God has promised that the Redeemer will one day come to Zion and deliver His people in mighty power (Isa. 59:16-21; Jer. 31:33-34),

Paul affirmed this at the close of his great discussion of the future redemption of the Jewish nation (Rom. 11:25-32).

The word captivity doesn’t refer to the Babylonian captivity, for Jeremiah made it clear that it would end in seventy years (Jer. 25:8-1 4).

The phrase “bringeth back the captivity” means “to restore the fortunes, to radically change circumstances from bad to very good.”

The day will come when Jesus Christ will return, defeat His enemies, cleanse the nation of Israel, and establish

His righteous kingdom on this earth (Zech. 10- 14).

What a time of rejoicing that will be when the prayer “thy kingdom come” is fulfilled! Romans 11:25-31.

But what about the wicked?

They have no future with the Lord because they preferred not to know the Lord or live for Him.

They lived according to the desires of their own hearts, not to please the Lord and glorify Him.


Those who reject Jesus Christ will spend eternity apart from the Lord and will honestly be able to say in hell, “There is no God-here!”


Psalm 15 Psa 15:1-5 ISV1 A Davidic Psalm. LORD, who may stay in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain?2 The one who lives with integrity, who does righteous deeds, and who speaks truth to himself.3 The one who does not slander with his tongue, who does no evil to his neighbor, and who does not destroy his friend's reputation.4 The one who despises those who are utterly wicked, but who honors the one who fears the LORD, who keeps his word even when it hurts and does not change,5 who does not loan his money with interest, and who does not take a bribe against those who are innocent. The one who does these things will stand firm forever.

Psa 15:1-5 ESV1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.



Psalm 14 informs us that there were two groups in Israel: the “workers of iniquity” and “the generation of the righteous” (Ps 14:4-5).

The former group forsook the law,

The latter group was a believing remnant that kept faith alive in the nation of Israel (Mal. 3:16-18).

Today, the church is that “righteous generation,” citizens of that heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:19-25), that ought to make a difference in this world (Phil. 2:12-16).

Psalms 10 and 12 focus on those who are not acceptable to the Lord,

Psalm 15 describes those who are acceptable and are invited to dwell in His tabernacle.

David may have written this psalm after his second -and successful-attempt to bring the ark of the covenant to Mount Zion (2 Sam. 6), where it was housed in a tent.

Obedience of the RighteousThe rabbis taught that there were 613 commandments for the Jewish people to obey if they wanted to be righteous, but this psalm brings that number down to eleven.

Isaiah 33:15-16 gives six requirements,

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Isaiah 33:15,16

Micah 6:8 lists three.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8

Habakkuk 2:4 names but one- faith


Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to have your sins forgiven and be welcomed into the Lord’s presence (John 14:6; Rom. 1:7; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38).

The psalm says nothing about offering sacrifices, for spiritual Israelites knew that it was their personal faith that brought them salvation (Mark 12:28-34).

It’s important to note that Psalm 15 is not a prescription for being saved but a description of how saved people ought to live if they want to please God and fellowship with Him.

The list contains both positive and negative qualities, and these qualities must be present in all of life at all times.

Believers who would fellowship intimately with God must follow David’s example and meet three personal requirements.

The Book of Psalms: Psalm 15[A Psalm of David.]1] LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?1. Seeking God’s Presence (v. 1). After his men captured Mount Zion, David made it the site of his residence and of the sanctuary of God, and Jerusalem became “the city of David” (2 Sam. 5:1-16).

The tabernacle, the throne, and the “holy hill” belonged together (Ps 24:3-6; 2:6; 3:4; 43:3).

To the believer today, Mount Zion speaks of the heavenly city where God’s people will dwell forever (Heb. 12:19-25).

David asked this question because he loved the house of the Lord (Ps 26:8; 27:3-5; 65:4) and desired in his heart to know God better and fellowship with Him in a deeper way.

[who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?]


The tabernacle and holy hill no doubt refer to the heavenly Mt. Zion and the city of God, the New Jerusalem where God lives (Heb_12:22-23; note, Rev_14:1).

They are not types, but the realities themselves.

The priests could come and go in the house of the Lord, but David, though he was king, had to keep his distance.

“Abide” means “to sojourn as a stranger,” It is where I am tonight…

The word abide means to dwell there continually, not to visit, be a guest, or spend time in worship there.

“Dwell”: shakan: to settle down, tabernacle, reside. It suggests a permanent residential status, It is where I live, It is home

The word dwell in the Hebrew is shakan and gives us the word shekineh, referring to the presence (dwelling) of God’s glory in the sanctuary (Ex. 25:8; see also Ex 29:46; 1 Chron. 22:19; Ps. 20:2; 78:69; 150:1).

The ungodly might worship in the earthly tabernacle, but one has to meet the conditions of Psa_15:2-5 to go to God’s house and dwell with Him forever.

David wanted to enjoy the benefits of being a resident in God’s house-enjoying God’s fellowship, God’s protection, and God’s provision.

David’s great desire was to be with God in heaven and dwell in His house forever (Ps 23:6; 61:4), for God is our eternal home (Ps 90:1).

Believers today can enjoy intimate fellowship with God through Jesus Christ (John 14:19-31; Heb. 10:19-25).

2] He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Twelve Characteristics of the Righteous

1. They walk uprightly-without blame.2. They work righteousness.


3. They speak truth inwardly.4. They be free from backbiting (Psa_15:3).5. They do no evil to neighbors.6. They receive no reproach about neighbors.7. They hold vile people condemned (Psa_15:4).8. They honor them that fear the Lord.9. They keep word even to own hurt.10. They take no advantage of one in need to increase

riches (Psa_15:5).11. They refuse bribes.12. They protect the innocent.

Honesty: “Righteous Conduct”Three basic areas of life are named in verse 2- blameless character, righteous conduct, and truthful conversation-and then these are applied specifically and practically in verses 3- 5a.

Three Basic Areas of Life• Blameless Character• Righteous Conduct• Truthful Conversation (these 3 covered in (Psa_15:2)

If we are right in these basic virtues, we will “work them out” in every area of life and be obedient to the Lord.

Walk, work, and speak are present participles, indicating that the dedicated believer is constantly, continually obeying the Lord and seeking to please Him.

Integrity-blameless character (vv. 2a, 4a, 4b).

The first emphasis is on godly character

What we are largely determines what we do and say,.

(Isa. 33:14-16; 58:1-12; Jer. 7:1- 7; Ezek. 18:5-9; Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:6-8; Matt. 5:1-16.)

Integrity: “Blameless Character”“Blameless” doesn’t mean “sinless,” for nobody on earth is sinless.


Blameless has to do with soundness of character, integrity, complete loyalty to God.

Noah was blameless (Gen. 6:9), and

The Lord admonished Abraham to be blameless (Gen. 17:1), that is, devoted wholly to the Lord. (See Ps. 18:23-25; 101:2, 6; Deut. 18:9-13; Luke 16:13.)

Honesty-righteous conduct (Ps 15: 2b, 5a, 5b). People who “work righteousness” are honest in their own dealings and concerned that justice be done in the land.

Sincerity: “Truthful Conversation” (Ps 15:2c, 3- 4c). Truth is the cement that holds society together.

If people can get away with lies, then every promise, agreement, oath, pledge, and contract is immediately destroyed.

The false witness turns a trial into a travesty and causes the innocent to suffer.

We must speak truth in love (Eph. 4:15) and use truth as a tool to build relationships as well as a weapon to confront and fight deception.

When truth is in the heart, then the lips will not speak lies, spread gossip (Lev. 19:16), or attack the innocent.

People with truthful hearts will keep their vows and promises (Deut. 23:22-24; EccI. 5:1-5).

People of integrity don’t have to use oaths to strengthen their words.

A simple yes or no carries all the weight that’s needed (Matt. 5:33-37).

The Most Painful Sin? Gossip!

It is a form of betrayal and a direct violation of a commandment (Ex 20:16! cf. Lev 19:16; Pro 11:13; 18:8; 26:22; 20:19; 26:20, 21…).


Quietly, its venom does its silent work, undermining confidences, betraying relationships, spreading unseen injustices, invisibly promoting misunderstandings and distrust…

More trouble is caused in families, neighborhoods, offices, and churches by gossip and lies and the people who keep them in circulation than by any other means.

The Lord wants truth in our innermost being (Ps 51:6), and He wants us to love the truth and protect it.

The Lord is blameless in what He is (1 John 1:6), righteous in what He does (Ezra 9:15), and truthful in what He says (1 Sam. 15:29), and He wants His guests, those who abide with Him to be able to dwell with Him and to have the same characteristics He possesses

Integrity applied specifically and practically (Ps 15:3-5)

– Integrity: Blameless Character v. 4– Honesty: Righteous Conduct v. 5– Sincerity: Truthful Conversation v. 3

3] He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.[backbiteth not with his tongue]Jas 3:13-18 KJV Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge

among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Twelve Uses of the Tongue Condemned

1. Gossiping (Deu_22:13-19)2. Talebearing (Lev_19:16; Pro_11:13)


3. False witnessing (Exo_20:16; Exo_23:7)4. Whisperings (Rom_1:29)5. Slandering (1Ti_3:11)6. False accusations (Tit_2:3)7. Vain talking (Tit_1:10)8. Defaming (Jer_20:10)9. Tattling (1Ti_5:13)10. Lying (Pro_6:17; Rev_21:8; Rev_22:15)11. Deceiving (Rev_12:9)12. Backbiting (Psa_15:3; Rom_1:30)

4] In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.People with integrity will honor who have integrity and who fear the Lord (Ps 15:4; 119:63).

They will not be deceived by the flatterers (Ps 12:2-3) or enticed by the sinful (Ps 1:1).

When godly people endorse the words and deeds of the ungodly, there is confusion in the church.

“Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who ... compromises his integrity before the wicked” (Prov. 25:26 AB).

5] He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.In verse 5, David applied the principle of honesty to two areas:

– Exorbitant interest (Ex 22:25; 23:7,8; Lev 25:35-38; Deut 23:20)

– Accepting bribes (Ex 23:8; Deut 10:17,18; 27:25; 2 Chr 19:5-7)

Both were “sins in good standing” in the days of the divided kingdom, and the prophets preached against both sins (Isa. 1:23; 5:23; 10:2; Ezek. 22:12; Amos 5:11-12).


Someone defined “politics” as “the conduct of public affairs for private advantage,” and too often that is true.

In the ancient Jewish monarchy, there wasn’t much the average citizen could do about crooked judges or extortion (EccI. 3:16-1 7; 4:1-3), but in today’s democracies, each qualified citizen at least has a vote.

The Jews were not permitted

to charge other Jews interest (Ex. 22:25; 23:7-8; Lev. 25:35-38; Deut. 23:20), and

judges were warned not to accept bribes (Ex. 23:8; Deut. 10:17-1 8; 27:25; 2 Chron. 19:5-7).

There can be no justice in a society where money tells the court what is right or wrong.

TrustIng God’s Promise (Ps 15:5c). “He who does these things will never be shaken” (NASB).

[doeth these things] The O.T. requirements of salvation in the end are the same as those in the N.T.

One must do, not just hear, as is required in Mat_7:21-29; Joh_15:10-14; Rom_8:12-13; Jas_1:22-27; Jas_2:10-26; and 2Pe_1:4-10.

This means that the godly described in this psalm have security and stability in life and don’t have to be afraid of earthquakes or eviction notices.

[shall never be moved] On condition of doing the things of Psa_15:2-5, one will be eternally secure (Psa_125:1).

“Moved” comes from a Hebrew word that refers to a violent shaking (Ps 46:3-4; 82:5; 93:1; 96:10; Isa. 24:18-20).

God’s promise to the godly is that they are firmly grounded on His covenant promises and need not fear.

“He who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17 NKJv).

In these last days, God is shaking things so that the true will remain and the false will be exposed (Heb. 12:18-29).


Jesus closed the Sermon on the Mount with a parable about two builders (Matt. 7:24-27) whose structures (lives) were tested by the judgment storm, and only one stood strong.

It was the life built by the person who did the will of God.

The godly life that our Lord discussed in the Sermon on the Mount parallels the characteristics of the godly person described in Psalm 15, and in both places, the promise is given: “You shall never be moved.”

...he that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Mark 12:28-34 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.


QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION

Psalm 11. What does Psalm 1 identify as the key to success?

How do you personally measure true success?

2. According to Psalm 1, what conditions must you meet in order to be “blessed”?

Are you willing to meet these conditions?

3. What will you do this week to be a blessing to others?

Psalm 24. What evidence of rebellion against God do you see in

international events?In national events?In local events?In the lives of your coworkers?

How can you help reconcile at least one person to Christ?

5. What do you learn from this psalm about God’s sovereignty?

How does knowing God is sovereign help you face life’s challenges?

Psalms 3-46. What do Psalms 3 and 4 have in common?

Can you praise God even in difficult circumstances?If so, why?If not, why not?

7. According to Psalm 4:1, David was desperate for God to answer his prayer. Why does God sometimes delay His answer to an urgent prayer?

What helpful lessons have God’s delays taught you?

Psalms 5-68. What is an imprecatory psalm?

Should believers today offer imprecatory prayers?Why or why not?


9. How should a believer’s life contrast with the life of an unbeliever?

10. Have you ever felt that God deserted you?What did you later discover?

How can suffering patiently strengthen your faith and enlarge your sphere of Christian influence?

11. How can you be confident that God is steering even your harshest circumstances toward His ultimate goal for your life?

Psalms 7-812. Have you ever been falsely accused?

How did you respond?

What advice can you give other falsely accused believers?

13. What keeps God from snuffing out the rebellious today, once and for all?

14. What does creation teach you about God?

How does knowing that God created such a vast Universe make you feel about His love for you, such a small “speck” on planet Earth?

Psalm 915. How has God proved to be your stronghold?

What might you say to a person who fears for his or her safety in a climate of terror and uncertainty?

Psalm 1016. What personal reasons might a person have for refusing to

believe in the existence of God?

What do you believe is the strongest evidence that God exists?

17. Is it harder to persuade “down-and-outers” or “up-and-outers” to believe in God?

Explain.

Psalm 11


18. Having to choose between fear and faith, David chose faith. What fears must your faith overcome?

What Bible promise gives you great comfort when you feel threatened?

Psalm 1219. Dishonesty and deception characterized David’s culture. What

big lies are circulating today in education?In politics?In religion?In the secular media?

20. Why is it so important to accept God’s Word as absolute truth?

Psalm 1321. A fugitive on the run from King Saul, David felt abandoned by

God. But faith eventually displaced doubt, and he exchanged a dirge for a doxology. When have you felt abandoned by God?

What chased the gloom away and restored your hope?

22. How can you live above the circumstances?

Psalm 1423. Would you agree that a believing twelve-year-old is wiser than

an atheistic philosopher?Defend your answer.

24. Why might those who deny God’s existence purposely refuse to believe?

Psalm 1525. Good works cannot procure our salvation, but they ought to

prove our salvation (Eph. 2:8-10). What good works do you believe prove most convincingly that a person has received salvation?

26. David longed for heaven. What aspects of heaven are you longing for?


If someone asked “What’s so great about heaven? ”how would you respond?

27. David stressed the value of integrity, honesty, and sincerity. How might Christians practice these virtues at home, in church, and in the business community?

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