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Q3. (Psalm 139). In what way does the wonder of creation in the psalm seem to affect the psalmist? In his concluding prayer in verses 23-24, what does he ask God to do? PSALM 139 In what ways does the wonder of creation in the psalm seem to affect the psalmist? It leaves him speechless, in a way. He is so amazed at the involvement of his Creator in his life, that he admits such knowledge is too wonderful for him. God's thoughts are not our thoughts; they never originate in our minds, and sometimes we cannot even attain to grasping them. God's creativity is beyond human capability and comprehension. This revelation also makes David overwhelmed, seemingly in a good way. The realization that God's presence is everywhere, it invades his own security and makes him a bit restless. To know that we are always being watched, always surrounded can be surprising, especially when the One watching is altogether holy, pure, and knows everything about everyone, the whole world, the whole universe. He is our judge, and nothing is hidden from Him! What a wake up call to admit that the holy God of the Universe knows EVERYTHING about us! From verse 14, it also causes David to praise God. The One who made the heavens, is the One who carefully knit him together in his mother's womb. The awe that stirs in David's heart cannot be held back; it must be released in praise. All of this wonder also brings David to God's side - righteousness. When he sees the goodness of God in creating anyone, He takes up an offense to any who would turn their backs to the Father who put His heart and treasure into forming their inward parts. Knowing the character and works of God leads us to stand for His character and works. In his concluding prayer, what does he ask God to do? After realizing the love and care that his Creator had in making him, David is filled with both zeal for God's heart and a trust in His care. He wants to be pure and fully known by his Maker, and trusts that the God who began the work will surely complete it, with the same care with which he formed him in his mother's womb. So he asks Him to search Him, know him, try his anxieties, find out wickedness in him, and lead him in the way everlasting. He desires to continue to be in God's hand all the days of his life, to be known fully by his loving Father, to be refined and pure as He is pure, and to be led into His eternal kingdom.

PSALM 19 What is the common thread between 1-6 and 7-13? Verses 1-6 is David's admiration of God's wordless speaking throught the beauty of creation, and verses 7-13 is his admiration of God's written Word. I feel as this entire psalm increases in depth, just as the style of psalms were explained - a verse is often written like "this.... but more than that, this..." - I forgot the proper terminology. But I feel this whole psalm continues with more than that... more revelation and more revelation. David begins with what all mankind can do every day - he looks at the sky. He admires God's glory in what He sees... how faithful is God to speak through creation! More than that - He speaks every day and every night! More than that - He goes beyond the boundary of languages and speaks to every heart! ... and eventually, more than that - He has specifically written out His heart in words concerning our life! And David continues to write out the benefits, the more and more revelation that He receives of God's goodness to speak to us. In what way does the psalmist seem to bask in God's Word? One can only realize benefits of something and praise its value as greater than gold and sweeter than honey if that individual truly has spent time basking in the presence of that which is mentioned. It is the same as with an individual - I can only testify to the greatness of an individual if I witness their influence on my life and the lives of others and find enjoyment in their presence. That is what David has found with the Word. He is able to truly testify that it converts the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, etc. He cannot claim these things if he had only heard them to be true, and didn't experience the truths himself. And as he has experienced these benefits, as anyone would, he desires more of the Word! More than gold, more than honey - the riches of God's Word are inexhaustible! Have you ever felt that way? Not enough! I've tasted; but I've only begun to see the benefits of God's Word. I honestly tell God that I don't understand how David feels here, and I sometimes feel the opposite way - that His Word is boring and dry. But God is faithful to keep bringing me back to the Word, to dig until I experience the wells of joy in His law! How does the psalmist's wonder in creation seem to affect him in this psalm? As it is in the beginning of the psalm, it seems to be the spark of praise in David's heart that sets him aflame with admiration at God's Word. Anyone - even an athiest - can be in awe by looking at the sky. No one can deny the beauty in a sunset or sunrise. David chose to believe that it is God Who created this sky, and God Who speaks through this sky. The Lord then honors his faith and praise by pouring more revelation into his heart, and he maintains the wonder of God's glory throughout the rest of the psalm. In the classic prayer of verse 14, what is David asking God to do? David pours out His heart in praise in the previous verses, which creates a feeling of God's worth - He is altogether wonderful, faithful, merciful, if only in the way He speaks to us - therefore He is altogether worthy of an admiring and worshipful people. How can we look to a glorious and pure God and speak words and think thoughts that are not reflective of His nature and honoring to His name? It is what He deserves. But in David's humanity and humility, he admits he cannot maintain this perfection of purity before God in His own strength or righteousness. He needs the Lord Who is his strength, Who is his Redeemer to perform this purity of heart in and through him, and therefore asks for help.

PSALM 8 What does it teach about God? He made His name to be known throughout all creation, therefore He delights in communication with us and He shows mercy through always speaking of Himself to us. We are without excuse (Romans 1:20) His glory is infinite