Time with the Lord in the Psalms! The notes you’ll find here are the nuts & bolts of my efforts to understand & apply the Psalms to my life. I hope that they’ll be an encouragement as you glean the Scriptures for guidance & encouragement.
You’ll notice 3 basic pieces to my notes: A basic outline, the question “What sticks out this time?” and the final question “What difference does this make?” These are the three regular parts of my time in the word. The outline will vary in length and detail. It’s simply a product of my efforts to understand & keep track of the flow of each Psalm. The first question is an effort to stay sensitive to what God is featuring for me as I read that day. The final question is an effort to apply the truth to my life – my thoughts, my choices, etc.
I want to profit from God’s word. As your brother in Christ, I want you to profit from it. I want you to carry these 3 basic pieces into every passage you study anywhere in Scripture.
Enjoy your time in the Word!
A Basic Outline
The declaration: I will turn to You for help, 1a
The request: Please respond, 1b
The reason: I’ll die if You don’t answer, 1c
A request about me, 2-3
..respond when I cry to You, 2
..don’t take me away with the wicked, 3
A request about the wicked, 4
..give them what they deserve
The reason for their destruction, 5
..they reject You
Praise for the answered request, 6-7
..blessed be the Lord because…
..the Lord is my strength…
..my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped.
..therefore my heart greatly rejoices…
..I will praise him.
A declaration, 8
..the Lord is a saving refuge to His anointed
A request, 9
..save
..bless
..shepherd
..bear them up forever
What sticks out?
Desperation. David experienced times when he felt overwhelmed and near death. The same guy who felt so incredibly calm because of God’s faithfulness and provision also experienced tremendous turmoil.
Where does that make a difference?
I can cry out when I feel overwhelmed. I don’t have anything to be ashamed of… My Father expects me to cry out. He teaches me to cry out. I don’t need to feel bad for crying out. See Hebrews 4:14-16.
What sticks out?
Verse 8. The Lord is not only a shield to David, He is a strength and saving refuge to all of His people.
What difference does this make?
You are my strength and my saving refuge. I can face this day with hope because of this. Save and shepherd! Bless and bear me up!