A Study Of Psalm 16 And 17 Series

A Study of Psalm 16 and 17

Psalm 16 and 17

Introduction

- Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period

- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning

- We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … Info: we’ll take break for Advent

- If we apply ourselves, this could be a life changing study (exp.)

- I want us, as a church, to examine if we can’t rejoice more

- We ought to be able to praise and want more of God every day

- Read Psalm 16-17 / Pray

Point 1 – Psalm 16 (Who is your God?)

v1-4

- David’s prayer begins with the best statement ever: “Keep me safe” …

-- Then a confession: “in you I take refuge” (you are my safety)

-- And a declaration: “apart from you I have no good thing” (you are my all)

- Q: Why can’t we just be happy and fruitful in what we have?

- Q: Why do we choose wallow in misery instead of God’s joy?

- Answer: We think we are in charge and fail to worship the One who is!

v3-4

- David understand that people are noble … yet they are disturbing

-- Knew people are finicky, they are easily swayed, & they are not perfect

-- In essence, they are no different than we are today – regular folks doing life

- IMP: Our desire should be to run after God (v4); b/c other gods are empty

-- Other gods provide no joy, no relief, no growth, and no safety

-- APP: This applies to our hobbies, our preferences, and our “need these”

-- Re: What we place over God is what we worship; it IS our god! (exp.)

v5-8

- Hard truth: What God provides ought to be enough for us.

-- But, it is our rebellion that continues to pressure us to think we should have more

- Want: More recognition, more money, more power, more possessions, etc.

-- David teaches us something valuable here: says, “God is my portion” (Is he?)

- God’s boundaries (v6) are put in place for our protection

-- They cause us to hold back, to stop, to listen, to look to Him for guidance

- Ex: Puppy training … amazed at how Belle looks to us for the “Ok”

-- Why? We are her portion, we are her provider, she checks in regularly!

-- CHALLENGE: We ought to be NO different in how we respond to God!

- Even when God counsels us (v7), we ought to praise Him

-- Ex: We geet so busy considering ourselves to be in charge that we miss God

-- David says, “I will keep my eyes ALWAYS on the Lord.” (v8)

-- “I will not be shaken” … I will always have confidence in who He is

- Therefore (I’ve said how I feel, so here are my next steps…)

v9

• My heart is glad

• My tongue rejoices

• My body will rest secure

Why? (v10-11)

• You will not abandon me

• You will not let me decay

• You show me how to live

• You fill me with joy and eternal security by your power/authority

- TRANS: Do you want God’s peace in your life? Try Psalm 16!

- Now, let’s see how we start living this life, through an honest man’s prayers

Point 2 – Psalm 17 (A Focused Prayer)

- David prays for 6 specific things for God to help Him with

-- When we are struggling, I believe we can learn from David’s life

- Take a look at these things and tell me … couldn’t you do this?

-- APP: Do you need to make a change in the way you are doing things?

v1-2

Slide: See Me

- Hear me, Lord, I’m crying out to you; In my plea, my heart is honest

-- Let me be justified and made right because You say so, because I live for You

v3-5

Slide: Search Me

- Please examine my life and my heart Lord, search me for wickedness

-- Let it be proven that I have lived rightfully for You; b/c I’m devoted to You

-- APP: God will search your life; will you let Him so that you can be changed?

v6-7

Slide: Show Me

- You promise to answer me when I cry out to You, so please do so now

-- I’m calling on You Lord, please show me Your love and Your compassion

-- APP: You are the One who saved me, so let me see more of You!

v8-12

Slide: Shield Me

- Protect me, Lord, as someone You care about (it’s His promise to do so)

-- Keep me safe from those who seek to destroy me and turn my life upside-down