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Psalms – TJL Compliation

PSALMS 19th Book in the Old Testament

Psalm 10Psalm 11

Psalm 12Psalm 13

Psalm 14Psalm 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 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.

Wicked 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 Thes 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 Arise1. 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.

Psa Scripture Probable Occasion B.C.12 1Ch 28:1 Inserted toward the end of David's life 1015

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.



Wait and Commit

My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord—how long?Psalm 6:3With each advancement in technology our patience has diminished. Today, when we can send a message around the world in seconds, we can hardly abide waiting at all.

In God’s spiritual economy, waiting is sometimes part of His plan. God doesn’t need to delay His answers or actions at all. Sometimes He has His reasons.

The psalmists often prayed, “How long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13) when they found themselves in anguish or trouble. Yet in balanced amounts came this exhortation: “Wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14; 37:9, 34).

God is with you and His timing is perfect. While you are waiting, remember to commit your way to Him and to trust Him for the answer (Psalm 37:5).

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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