Paul G

Q1. (Psalm 69:12-18) How could David dare to ask anything from God after the shameful things he had done with Bathsheba and Uriah? How does God's grace and mercy function in the face of our sins? ANS - It is only based on God's great love, mercy, and grace. I personally have experienced this love and mercy so greatly. I praise and thank the Lord. I have been drawn from the depths of sin, and have been delivered from the bonds of the enemy, and by his love and grace been set free and restored and renewed.

Every morning I have time alone with the Lord for half hour to 45 minutes. I will take time to Praise Him, more then I have before in my daily prayers!

Q2. (Psalm 95) In Psalm 95 we are commanded to worship the Lord. What are the reasons why we should worship contained in this psalm? ANS - Because he is a great God, the great King above all Gods. In his hands are the depth of the earth and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His and His hands formed the dry land; He is our God, and our Make. We are the people of His pasture, and are under His care. Why do you think the warning in verses 8-11 is included in this psalm? How does this fit with the earlier elements of the psalm? ANS - Because obedience is as much a part of worship as the other expressions of praise. If we are not worshipping through our obedience then we are warned we cannot enter his rest.

Q1. (Psalm 150) What does this psalm teach us about praise? Where should praise occur? With what should praise be conducted? Who should praise? What does this psalm make you feel like after reading it out loud? ANS - We are exhorted to praise the Lord. This Psalm instructs us in the what, where, why, how, and who should praise the Lord! This Psalm uplifts us in our Spirit as we praise Him, and get outside our own little life shells. What are we waiting for, let's praise the Lord, and enter His courts with Praise

Exercise for Study 3 - To Memorize Psalm 1. This is a great Psalm to memorize, as one starts into Psalm, to experience it, to teach it (as I will in a few weeks. I've memorized it before, but need to do it again, and to begin to mediate on it, and experience it, to live it

Q2. (Psalm 15) The Wisdom Psalms are meant to instruct us. How would you use this psalm in your family to instruct your children? ANS = I have instructed them to live righteously, to speak the truth, don't slander your neighbors, or do him wrong; to despise evil men, to honor those who fear the Lord, to always keep a promise, and to handle money wisely And I believe they are now teaching their children, my grandchildren, the same.

Q3. (Psalm 133) What about this short psalm seems to attract you? ANS - The emphasis on the blessing of unity. Why is "dwelling together in unity" so difficult? ANS - Because we are sinful and imperfect mdividuals to often bent on living our own lives, and satisfying our own egos, without concern of serving others. What kinds of commitments does unity require of us? ANS - To put aside our own self desiresw, and to love others as ourselves, and to have an attitude of serving one another. How do the principles of unity and purity seem to conflict with each other? ANS - Purity can mean "not combined, nor comprimsed with something else, to stand alone; and unity mans standing altogether as one Why are reconciliation and unity such high values in Jesus' teaching, do you think? ANS - Because he understood the sinful nature, and knew that in order for the Kingdom of God to move ahead there must be basic principles of love, forgiveness, and unity. . As he said - "By this shall all men know that you are mind, if you love one another.

Q1. (Psalm 1). This short psalm seems to reaffirm what we already know: the righteous will succeed and the wicked will perish. Why do we need to be reminded of this? ANS - Because it is so easy to be tempted and trapped by the evil one, and drawn astray. We need to be reminded of the blessings in following the Lord. We need to rejoice and praise Him for his blessings, which are daily. Q - From an emotional standpoint, what lines in this psalm stand out to you. Why do you think you like them? ANS - Vs. 2 NS 3 - "Being planted by the waters" - this is where I have grown in the Lord and am renewed day by day. As in Psalms 23. My renewal process of the last 2 and half years has been made meaningful by the reading, memorization, and meditation in the Word!

Psalms 42:1, 2 states "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my souls pants for you, Oh God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God..........". I have played trumpet for years, and one of my favorite songs to play on the trumpet is "As the deer panteth for water, so my souls pants for you, Oh God". I can remember in 1997 I travelled to Germany to visit my sister, and while there I borrowed a trumpet and played that song in her home church in Heidelberg. I still remember when I played that.

Q3. (Psalm 63) Why is recognition that God loves you the basis of all faith? ANS Because he has loved me before I was even born, and knows my every step and breath. He loves me in spite of my sins, and blesses me in spite of my short comings. He loved me so much he would die on the cross for me. Therefore I can love him and put my complete faith and trust in Him. What does this realization bring about in your life? ANS: My complete love, faith, confidence, and obedience in Him. rolleyes:

Q2. (Psalms 42-43). What is the psalmist feeling during this spiritual struggle? ANS - He is feeling deeply discouraged, disturbed, and rejected, so much so that he has been constantly weeping. He is pouring out his soul and earnestly seeking God, as deceitful and wicked men no doubt have been pursuing him. How does he combat his spiritual depression? ANS - By earnestly seeking and putting his hope in God, remembering what God has done for him in the past. He prays, sings praises to God, and puts His hope in God. He knows that God directs His love toward him, and that God is sending his light and truth to guide him. Have you ever felt this way? How did you reach out to God at this time? ANS - Each morning I spend time with God in prayer and reading His word, constantly being reminded of God's love for me, and His presence ad direction in my life.

Q1. (Psalm 27) What does it mean that David desires to "dwell in the house of the Lord"? ANS - He desires to be in God's presence, to worship Him, to enjoy His Glory, and to fellowship with Him. What does it mean to "seek his face"? ANS - It means to pray to, and to pursue Him, to be passionate for Him. How does David provide hope at the end of this Psalm? ANS - He states that we are to take heart, and to be confident in Him as we wait for Him!

I used to teach junior high kids in Sunday School many years ago. One of the songs I taught them, which was a favorite with the kids, was a chorus from Psalms 19:7-11. I still remember it to this day. It's a wonderful chorus. I could sing it here, but there is no audio capabilities here. Just as well Also, the last verse (19:14) is a great verse, and I do have it memorized. A battle I have fought over the many years, is the battle with ***********. For 2.5 years now I have not relapsed, and have gone through a continued renewal process, Praise the Lord! This verse has meant a lot to me,

This is such a tremendous Psalm! Read it from "The Message" Bible. The Psalmists reaction is seen, for example in v.11, "This is too much, too wonderful - I can't take it all in", vs 14 - I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking......I worship adoration"; v17 - "Your thoughts - how rare, how beautiful, I'll never comprehend them". His heart is filled with awe and praise. What does he ask God to do - from The Message - "Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross examine and test me; see if I've done anything wrong, and guide me on the road to everlasting life." That this would be my prayer daily, Lord!

The common thread between the two sets of verses is the amazing wonder of God's word - first spoken through the creation, and second, spoken through his written word. It seems to me that the Psalmist basks in God's word by literally experiencing it. The Psalmist is in awe of God's creation and can't seem to say enough about how amazing it is and how it proclaims the glory of God. In verse 14 David is asking God to be pleased with the words of his mouth, and the meditation of his heart

How truly amazing God is, far beyond anything we can comprehend. But the most amazing miralce is that I can experience him in my heart. And that he has given me responsbility to be stewards of His creation.