Month 12

Psalm 117

This is one of the psalms which the Jews would sing at major festivals, especially at Passover.

1. What were the Israelites particularly remembering as they spoke these words?
2. Why should the nations (non Jews) praise God for what He had done for the Jews?
3. What happens when the nations praise the LORD and his people?
4. What is God’s purpose for all the nations and the motive for his purpose?
5. Think about the love and faithfulness that God has shown to us as believers in general and as individuals?
6. How can these words inform us in our outreach?
7. This is a prophetic psalm, so when do see its fulfilment?

Psalm 64

1. Read through this psalm. The psalmist, David, has a problem! What is that problem, and do we agree that the problem warrants a “complaint” to God? (Other translations might have “trouble” or “concerns”.)
2. We can paraphrase v4 to contemporary language, e.g. “They name-shamed the innocent on all handsets”. What other suggestions do group members have?
3. What might be a useful paraphrase for v7?
4. It is helpful and perhaps necessary to read the scripture in a contemporary context. Have half the group consider how best to use v8 to explain God’s love to the other half. The other half uses v3. Then exchange your paraphrases.
5. Verses 1-6: the psalmist, David, is certainly under a lot of pressure, physical, relationship, mental and spiritual. His words reflect reality (v2, “hide me”) and imagination (v3, “tongues like swords”). How much do we think that David’s enemies have an upper hand against him?
6. What did God do in vv7-11?
7. What did David’s enemies do in vv7-11?
8. What did David do in vv7-11?
9. Beginning with a “complaint”, how is David’s problem resolved, if at all?
10. “Believe and all will be well”. To what extent is this attestable and therefore true? Reflect using some examples, and commit the group’s concerns (or complaints) to the Lord.

Church study