• The LORD portrayed as teacher of the afflicted and guide for the erring

• deliverance from enemies, divine instruction and dismissal of sin

• director of directions
• personal testimony of the LORD and His pattern of steadfast love

• emphatic nature of source and intimacy of communication
• the matter of alignment

• crescendo of vulnerability and experience of solitude
• a heart enlarged by magnified troubles (Lev. 16:21-22)

• stress on the person of the redeemer
• connection to NT and Christ: Rev. 21:27

• Because of who the LORD is and who you are, delight in Him and depend on His directions.
• Pursue formation more than information.
• Trust the LORD’S capacity to manage the map of your life.
• “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” (F. Crosby)

• liturgy “at the gate” and connection to Psalm 24
• question/answer format

• tent and hill: worship and sacrifice
• sojourn and dwell: hospitality and homecoming

• consistent character
• restrained speech
• specified allegiance
• transactional integrity

• a place assured
• shall not be moved, ever
• important clarifications: source of confidence and significance of confession

• Because the LORD’S presence demands perfection, rely on the qualifying person and power of Jesus Christ.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 5:48, Heb. 12:14, 2 Cor. 5:21
• What should my life look like as an “insider?”
• “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom…” (“Remember Me”, Shive/Peterson)

• lament psalm with a distinct arrangement that employs key repetitions

• perception of divine remoteness
• experience of personal uncertainty
• existence of human opposition (1 Sam. 27:1)

• awareness of God and of the enemy
• lousy logic but legitimate faith
• request for a fresh surge of strength (1 Sam. 14:24-29)

• an affirmation about God’s “committed love”
• two exultations
• the ultimate “trip” to bountiful

• Because crisis is inevitable, constantly consider the nature of God’s committed love.
• connection to Christ: Heb. 5:7
• Exult in the superior object and certain outcome of your faith.
• “O, Love That Will Not Let Me Go” (G. Matheson)

• 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)