• part of a group of psalms (3-7) arising from hostile and painful experiences (David/Absalom)
• five sections that address God and describe the crisis

• urgent words, sighs and cries (Rom. 8:26)
• persistent preparation and expectation (Lev. 1:7-8, Hab. 2:1)

• His character as the basis of prayer
• scouting what he loves and hates

• through the “multitude” of unfailing love
• primary appeal: the way you want me to go

• description and plea for guilty sentence (2 Thess. 1:6-7)
• because of the “multitude” of their transgressions

• refuge and rejoicing
• wrapped around with favor (1 Sam. 17:7)

• Because God is holy and merciful, seek His guidance and trust Him to deliver.
• Discern your desperation factor and pray the promises of God.
• connection to Christ: Col. 1:13-14 and see “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” (Matheson)

• second of the penitential psalms, a teaching psalm
• reflects David’s experience after his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11-12; Psa. 51)

• sins borne away (Lev. 16:21-22)
• doctrine of imputation (Rom. 4:6-8)

• roaring lion of guilt
• immediacy of forgiveness

• from personal testimony to communal dependence
• in a time of “finding” (Isa. 55:6)
• with cries of rescue you surround me

• Yahweh’s promise and expectation
• avoiding likeness to a mule

• Because the LORD provides what He demands from you, address estrangement from Him immediately.
• connection to Christ: 2 Cor. 5:21
• “…The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.” (Crosby, “To God Be the Glory”)
• “Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee…” (C. Wesley, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”)

• third of seven penitential psalm
• another psalm with a “remembering” emphasis

• plea for mercy amid merited discipline
• burden of guilt and expression of agony

• internal and external
• foul disease and estrangement from friends
• weaponized enemies

• sin as a cause of suffering
• anticipating an answer
• confession of iniquity

• location of trust
• language of repentance

• Because of sin’s devastating impact, confess it immediately and forsake it completely.
• connection to Christ: 1 John 1:9; 2:1-2
• “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” (Adrian Rogers)
• “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (R. Robinson)

• Paired with Psalm 106 in Book IV, it presents a historical verification of God’s faithfulness

• call to worship with nine different verbs
• magnification and missional aspects

• covenant with Abraham (7-11)
• nomads in Canaan (12-15)
• Joseph and Egypt (16-22)

• Israel in Egypt (23-26)
• Plagues on Egypt (27-36)
• Exodus and wilderness provisions (37-41)

• back to Abraham
• that they might keep…

• Because the LORD’S memory is perfect, do what He tells you to do.
• Live with the tension.
• “Remembering knows before knowing ever remembers.” (W. Faulkner)
• “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (T. Chisholm)

• David’s song to the LORD when the LORD delivered him from all his enemies and from Saul

• source of security
• the one whom He delivered more (Lk. 7:41-50)

• poetic depiction of intervention
• a step between David and death (1 Sam. 20)
• moving the universe to rescue His servant
• impressing the reader with the LORD

• profession of loyalty and obedience
• acknowledgement of sufficiency
• bringing balance to our perspective

• what the LORD has done already
• what David will accomplish with the LORD’s help
• David’s expanded reign
• sounding the note of conquest and pointing to Christ

• Because the LORD is your deliverer, delight in Him.
• “There in my weakest hour you offered grace, You gave me love unfailing, So in my heart I’ll raise a banner high, Remember how you saved me.” (Ellie Holcomb, “Songs of Deliverance”)

• messianic psalm and most frequently quoted in the NT

• David sees beyond Himself
• Christ is the Lord (Adon) that the LORD (Yahweh) addresses
• sit and rule over detractors and disciples
• NT appropriations: Matt. 22:44, Lk. 20:41-44, Acts 2:34-35

• from oracle to oath (Heb. 5:8-10, 7:15-22)
• Melchizedek and not Aaron (Gen. 14:18)
• two offices converge in one person

• decisive defeat of nations, kings and chiefs
• tracking down His enemies
• a slaked thirst and a successful campaign

• Because the Father certifies the Son’s reign, submit to Him and be satisfied in Him.
• To waver on the matter of the exclusivity of Christ is utter idiocy and blasphemy.
• Are you appropriately impressed with Jesus Christ?
• “Mighty Victor, reign for ever; Wear the crown so dearly won; Never shall Thy people, never, Cease to sing what Thou hast done; Thou hast fought Thy people’s foes; Thou wilt heal Thy people’s woes.” (T. Kelly “Who Is This That Comes from Edom?”)

• longest of the ascent psalms: “soundtrack” for the pilgrim’s journey
• connections to 2 Samuel 6-7 and 2 Chronicles 6

• determination to build a house for the LORD
• David’s hardships and his vow

• significance and symbolism of the Ark (1 Chron. 13:3)
• God’s throne to God’s city

• purified worship and a sure oath (Heb. 6:16-20)
• covenant condition

• when the answer exceeds the request (Eph. 3:20-21)
• sovereign selection
• bless, satisfy and clothe
• horn, lamp and crown (Luke 1:68-69)

• Because the LORD always delivers on His promises, trust Him when their fulfillment seems unlikely.
• Three travel tips: remember, recite, rejoice
• Have you considered how far ahead of you God is?
• “We’re Marching to Zion” (I. Watts)

• David’s song of thanks in 1 Chron. 16
• Messianic psalm

• connection to call of Abraham in Gen. 12
• missionary impulse of the OT

• grasping God’s greatness
• delighting in God as the work of your life (Baxter)
• extreme contrast and case of political incorrectness

• ascribing to Him something He already is
• prostration and appropriation

• what happens at the end (Matt. 6:9)
• celebration of creation (Rom. 8:18-25)

• Because the LORD is coming to reign, worship Him now.
• Consider the controlling reality of your life.
• “Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord the Judge shall come and take His servants up to their eternal home…” (“Rejoice the Lord is King” C. Wesley)

• David’s declaration in Psa. 63:3
• Paul’s assertion in 1 Thess. 5:17

• cause is just
• consistency of thought and action (1 John 3:18)

• in the center of God’s watchful care
• in the midst of the world’s oppression

• appeal for deliverance
• expression of confidence and connection to Christ

• Because God promises to vindicate and preserve His people, pray confidently about your present circumstances and future portion.
• “A good theology of suffering must have an exalted view of God.” (Joni Eareckson Tada)
• “In lovingkindness Jesus came, my soul in mercy to reclaim. And from the depths of sin and shame, through grace He lifted me…” (C. Gabriel)

• longest psalm and 171 of its 176 verses reference God’s Word
• connection to Matthew 4:4 and the concept of sanctification

• principle of purity
• protection of the Word

• prone to wander
• preventative maintenance

• continuing education
• open articulation
• comparative celebration
• purposeful memorization

• Because God’s revelation to His people is exceedingly precious, prize it for the treasure it is.
• Guard your heart! (Prov. 4:23)
• “‘One boat goes east, one goes west, by the self-same winds that blow. And it’s the set of the sails, and not the gales, that determines which way they go.’ And the Word of God sets our sails.” (A. Begg quoting Ella Wilcox, “Tis the Set of the Sail”)