Psalm 140 - 150

Study 113 – Psalm 140 and 141

1.      The enemies of the psalmist are described as wicked men of violence that spend all of their time setting traps for the unsuspecting. The psalmist asks not only to be rescued from his enemies, but he also asks the Lord for their complete destruction.

2.      In Psalm 141 the psalmists realizes that many times we are our own greatest enemy. For this reason he asks the Lord to guard his speech and his heart. He also gives thanks for other men that God places into his life in order to rebuke him and to keep him from straying from the way of righteousness.

3.      The best way to guard the tongue is to be slow to use it! The less we say, the less likely we will say something that we will regret.

Study 114 – Psalm 142 and 143

1.      David feels alone and overwhelmed. In response he pours out his complaint to God. He asks the Lord to be His refuge. He expect the Lord to answer his prayer and for others to see the goodness of God on his behalf and to gather around him so that they may praise the Lord together.

2.      The Lord is the psalmists only hope and the psalmist makes clear that he believes that the Lord will intervene on his behalf so that the name of the Lord will be uplifted. It is because of the Lord’s name, righteousness, and unfailing love that the psalmist is able to have such hope.

Study 115 – Psalm 144

1.      In God’s sight were are like breath and fleeting shadows. We are all but meaningless when we consider His greatness. Yet, we can call upon an Almighty God to part heaven and come to our rescue.

2.      Every leader must understand their own insignificance. Without the help of the Lord we are powerless. With His help we can turn others toward Him. The responsibility of the Christian leader is to turn the hearts of men away from themselves and toward the Lord.

Study 116 – Psalm 145

1.      In this psalm the following characteristics of God are mentioned:
Great deeds; Abundant Goodness; Grace; Compassion; Slow to Anger; Rich in Love; Good to All; Faithful in Keeping Promises; Upholds the Fallen; Lifts up those that are oppressed; Satisfied Desires; Watches over those who love Him.
Such characteristics should produce praise upon the recipients and cause them to pass that attitude of praise from generation to generation.

2.      The Lord sends the rain upon both the righteous and the unrighteous. He truly meets the needs of all of His creation. For those that follow His commands He offers even further blessing by granting the desires of their hearts.

Study 117 – Psalm 146

1.      Mankind is incapable of producing anything that will last. What God creates will last forever! He is everlasting!

2.      The Lord has heard the cry of Israel in Egypt and came to rescue them and to bring them into a Promised Land.

3.      In Jesus own words, “It is the sick that need a physician” or “I have come to call sinners.”

Study 118 – Psalm 147

1.      The Lord cares for: Individuals; Creation; and Nations. He is concerned with the oppressed individuals. He is concerned for providing for the needs of the planet and all of the creatures that inhabit it. He will protect and secure those nations that serve Him.

2.      We can trust and praise the Lord because His promises are true. The more we test the promises of God the more often we will find them to be valid and the greater will be our praise.

Study 119 – Psalm 148 – 150

1.      All of creation from the angels in the highest heaven to the lowliest creature on earth, whether it is organic or inorganic is created to give the Lord praise! Likewise, everything that man creates should be something that can bring praise unto the Lord!

2.      “The Lord takes delight in his people . . .” Psalm 149:4. As His people dwell on that truth they can be assured that God will help them to defeat their enemies. We are to be a people that “Praise God with our mouths and have a double-edged sword in our hands . . .” Psalm 149:6.