A. DAVID LEARNING THE PSALMS
1. How did young David learned Scriptures? Applied Joshua. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth … meditate … observe to do all that is written” (Joshua 1:8, NKJV).
2. Could David write? Reading and writing required of kings. “He shall write for himself a copy of this law (Deuteronomy) in a book … he shall read it all the days of his life” (Deuteronomy 17:18-19, NKJV).
3. David wrote 73 Psalms. Hebrew poetry is not rhyming the sounds of words, but repeats or restates the idea or thought. This amplified or drives home the meaning or message of the verse. “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear, the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1).
4. When two lines expressing the opposite is called antithetic parallelism. “The LORD knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:5).
5. David learned the faithfulness of God:
a. Parental example/teaching.
b. Meditation (Joshua 1:7-9).
c. From sheep and nature.
B. KINDS OF PSALMS
1. Psalms of lament, tells God of a troubled situation. “Help, LORD for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear…” (Psalm 12:1). “If the foundation are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3).
2. Psalms of praise. “O LORD, our LORD, how excellent is Your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:1, 9).
3. Psalms of thanksgiving. “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, give thanks at the remembrance of His name” (Psalm 30:4).
4. Psalms to celebrate God. “The heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).
5. Psalms of wisdom. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). “For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” (Psalm 37:9).
6. Psalms of confidence. “He leads me in the right paths according to His name when I walk through the valley of the shadows of death, I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:3-4).
7. Royal Psalms. These show David as king and is a blessing to all the people. Some royal Psalms are prayers, thanksgivings, or predictions of Messiah (heir of David), focusing on the future. “He who sits in the heaven will laugh” (Psalm 2:4 ff).
8. Imprecatory Psalm. Where David prays for judgment on enemies. “Pour out Your indignation upon them, and let Your wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their dwelling place be desolate; let no one live in their tents” (Psalm 69:24-25).
C. TEN WAYS TO FIND GOD’S PRESENCE
1. Read Psalms to cultivate a hunger for God. “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:4-5).
2. Pray the Psalms. Remember, “In the night, His song shall be with you” (Psalm 42:8, NLT). “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:4).
3. Write the Psalm out to fully understand. “My son, do not forget My law, but let your heart keep My commands for length of days and long life … bind them around your neck, write them on the tables of your heart” (Proverbs 3:1-3, NKJV).
4. Claim a promise. “When you are lonely or have deep needs. “I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). When threatened physically. "I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4). When you doubt the future. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).
5. Use Psalm to worship God. When David escaped Saul he wrote Psalm 18. “Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name” (Psalm 18:49).
6. Apply to your life the weight of sin expressed in a Psalm. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:1, 3-4).
7. Realize you are wonderfully and fearfully made. “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:1, 14).
8. When overwhelmed-stand bold to thank God. “He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name” (Psalm 18:48-49).
9. Look at your deep feelings through the Psalm. “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 42:1, 11).
10. Memorize and meditate the Psalms. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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