Month 27

Psalm 124

Study questions pending

Arus Menenggelamkan, Tuhan Menyelamatkan Jiwa Kami

In Malay / Borneon / Indonesian.
Translated as “God Saves Us from Raging Torrents”

Psalm 124: anthem

Psalm 101

1. This psalm looks like a checklist. List three more important “I wills” and “I will nots” out of the 8 verses.
2. What might the question about God helping us (v2) be relevant in the lines after lines of I will (not)?
3. Staying away from evil is not as easy as it might seem. A friendly chat might be the seed of an unchecked scheme we are part of, leading to slander . How have we applied this verse in our lives?
4. What are examples of conceit and pride (v5) in how people relate to each other?
5. Discrimination might be a fitting word for vv6-7; it’s judgemental of us to say something is bad, and worse when we reject and exlucde them. How might we apply these verses in our lives?
6. V8: To make identifying bad people as our daily task might be a step too far for us, and to free the city from the control of the evil, a task beyond our means. Recall examples of people who have worked hard in this way with varying outcomes. For example, those who healed the sick, championed the rights of the marginalised, provided amenities for the young and old, and etc.
7. What is the “I will” or “I will not” that we strive to keep to this coming week? This might be from the psalm, a modernised version, an alternative. Pray that God enables us to achieve it.

Music compositions pending

Psalm 127

1. Verses 1-2: God does not physically build the house or protect the city; what does the psalmist really mean then?
2. Verses 3-5: Having large families was a common practice in the time of the psalms. The psalmist used this to illustrate that God can provide at the right time for the right reasons. In what ways does God provide for us today?
3. A friend has stopped seeing their doctor because the medication does not help their traumatic recovery and panic flashbacks. In what ways might this psalm help or hinder those who are suffering to accept that this psalm is relevant to them?
4. Some will conclude this psalm is about having faith, others will say this is about God protecting us in all circumstances. What do we think? Share this in the group.
5. Believe in God, and then we can stop working and pursuing anything. What are basis for and against this in this psalm?

God Provides and Protects Us

Psalm 127: hymn

Psalm 125

Study questions pending.

Psalm 19

Study questions pending