• 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”)

• soothing balm for the fortification of the saints
• first of two “gateway” psalms
• crucial matter of belonging to the congregation of the righteous

• delight determines direction
• what he shuns: the chronically “belittling” culture
• what he savors: the torah of Yahweh
• beyond mere compliance

• linking 1-2 with 3
• like a tree: stability, vitality, productivity, durability and prosperity
• stark contrast with the wicked: Like chaff
• rooted, not blown away

• the identity of the wicked and a contrasting depiction: no justification, no communion, no hope (Matt. 7:13-14; 21-23)
• personal and intimate concern for every step you take
• first and last words: blessed and perish

• Because nothing matters as much as being rightly related to God, rely on Jesus and relish His word.
• View Jesus as the example and enabler of this psalm.
• “Gordon J. Wenham died in clear hope that dusty lives, entrusted to Christ, the man of heaven, will be raised in glory.”

• context of 3:1-10 and the day of the Lord
• a biblical perspective and posture (3:11-13)
• Considering the Lord’s certain word about your future, prepare for it actively in your present.
• four commands for those who wait

• marked by purity and peace

• connection between long-suffering and salvation

• heeding the warning about deception that leads to destabilization

• progressing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus for His glory

• What you really believe about the future is indicated by the way you live presently.
• “Ethics and eschatology are connected inextricably.” (MacGorman)
• Aim to live by faith in the Lord’s future grace.
• “O God of promise, strong and true, Your Word endures, makes all things new. You came, You died and rose again, to bring us life that knows no end. Now, heaven waits, its promise firm—we lift our eyes to Your return.”

• connection to 1:1-11
• issue being addressed: return of Christ and the response of believers to it
• question of authority: reliability of revelation

• intent while in this “tent”: to stir up
• impending “exodus” and last testament

• not cleverly contrived fables
• witnesses of His majesty at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-13, Psa. 2:7)

• the prophetic word: Old Testament
• light shining in a dark place (Num. 24:17, Rev. 22:16, 2 Tim. 4:8)
• common source of revelation and interpretation

• Because of the Lord’s trustworthy communication, continue to pursue conformity to Christ and to long for His appearing.
• Soak yourself in the Lord’s promises. (Psa. 119:9, 11, 105)
• To what extent do you presently long for the Lord’s return? (Matt. 9:15)
• “O’er all those wide, extended plains shines one eternal day; There God the Son forever reigns, and scatters night away. When I shall reach that happy place, I’ll be forever blest, for I shall see my Father’s face, and in His bosom rest.” (S. Stennett, “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”)

• connection between 2 Peter and Jude (2 Pet. 3:1-3)
• the faith “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)
• Knowing that you are kept by God permanently, keep yourself in the love of God presently.

• words having been spoken beforehand
• scoffers in the last time
• following ungodly passions, causing divisions, not having the Holy Spirit

• building on your holy faith
• praying in the Holy Spirit
• waiting for Christ’s mercy

• the doubting, the dangling and the defiled

• awareness of protective custody and ascription of ceaseless honor

• “Admonition is love’s authentic expression in time of danger.” (MacGorman)
• The foundation for finishing well is a riveted focus on the faithful love of God.
• “Since from His bounty I receive such proofs of love divine, had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord, they would all be Thine.” (S. Stennett, “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned”)

• inspired insights for believers living amid persecution and cultural confusion
• foundation for Christian living: God’s power and promises (3-4)
• Sustained by the Lord’s power and promises, passionately pursue conformity to Christ.

• practicing biblical “choreography”
• power of favor that precedes labor
• sevenfold application of faith
• possession and progression
• production and perspective

• confirmation of calling and election
• no falling beyond recovery
• no hindered entrance
• confirmation by continuation

• Remember: “Grace is opposed to earning, not to effort.” (D. Willard)
• Affirm divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
• Assess life biblically: “Three things are called precious in the Scripture: the blood of Christ is called ‘precious blood,’ 1 Peter 1:19; and faith is called ‘precious faith,’ 2 Peter 1:1; and the promises are called ‘precious promises,’ 2 Peter 1:4.” (T. Brooks)

• context of suffering (4:12-19)
• continuance of subjection concept (5:1-5a)
• Secure under God’s mighty hand, cultivate humility and transfer anxieties.

• Humble Yourself (5b-7) (Prov.3:34, Psa. 55:22)
• Stay Alert (8)
• Resist Satan (9)

• sustaining grace (10)
• sovereign superintendence (11)

• Don’t miss the contrast: set face and lavished grace.
• See the connection between clothing and casting.
• “If dependence is the objective, weakness is an advantage.” (Begg)
• “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” (Keen, “How Firm a Foundation”)

• addressing doubters, deniers and disputers
• specific connection to 20-25 and 42-49
• Assured of future transformation, focus on present continuation.

• fundamental inability (50)
• the mystery (51)
• moment, twinkling and trumpet (52)
• absolute necessity (53)
• the engulfer engulfed (54-56) (Isa. 25:8, Hos. 13:14)
• victory through Christ (57) (Gen. 3:19)

• greatly loved
• steadfast/immovable
• abounding and knowing

• Look and live! (Num. 21:4-9, John 3:14)
• “Soar we now where Christ has led, alleluia! Following our exalted Head, alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, alleluia!” (C. Wesley, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”)
• Keep on!