Week 47: Psalm 83-118
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Monday, August 2 Psalm 83-89 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Its Wednesday – the day appointed for reading Psalms 83–89. Some people call it “hump day” – the day we get over the hump and head for the weekend. Are you longing for the weekend? Or, are you longing for going to church here in the middle of the week? What’s the difference? In Psalm 84 the psalmist longs to go to church. Identify some of the things that the psalmist anticipates. What are some of the blessings you receive from your participation in worship (Acts 2:42; Acts 5:42; Acts 11:28–30; Acts 20:7; Colossians 3:12–17; 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4)? Thank God for the blessings of and the opportunities to worship with fellow Christians.
Tuesday, August 3 Psalm 90-95 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. How many pictures of security in God can you find in Psalm 91? Identify and explain them. Which one is most meaningful to you? Why?
Wednesday, August 4 Psalm 96-101 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. The group of psalms for your reading today (Psalm 96–101) is wonderful set of songs. All of them call on us to praise God. Identify several phrases in each psalm that are calls to praise Him. Now search these psalms for reasons to praise God. You’ll have a short, but powerful, list of reasons to join the angels (and your fellow congregation members this weekend!) in praise to God.
Thursday, August 5 Psalm 102-106 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
4. Psalms 90–106 form the fourth book in the Psalms. Fifteen of the sixteen psalms in this book are psalms of praise, but Psalm 102 is the prayer of a lonely, afflicted person. What are some of the concerns of this person? Perhaps you are similar to this person, living in a time when there is so much for which to praise God, yet you feel burdened. Which burdens of the person who wrote this psalm are especially close to your heart? What brought hope to this person (See Psalm 102:12–13, 16–17, 25–27)? Isaiah had similar concerns and similar hope (Isaiah 51: 6, 8). Ultimately, Christ is our salvation (John 11:25). Praise Him as you pray Psalm 103–106.
Friday, August 6 Psalm 107-113 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
5. During this month we celebrate our national Thanksgiving Day. It’s a time to “take notice” as the psalmist says (Psalm 107:43) of what God has done. Identify some things that God has done by looking at these sections of the psalm: ver49; verses 10–16; verses 17–22; verses 23–32; verses 33–41. Then give some examples of how God has continued His blessings in our own time. Finally, what should we do with this knowledge (Psalm 107:1–2, 42–43)?
Saturday, August 7 Psalm 114-118 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
6. Hold on a second! Don’t pass it by! This week’s readings include the shortest psalm – in fact, the shortest chapter in the Bible – Psalm 117. It may be short, but it proclaims a very important truth. You’ll find it in the notes for ht Concordia Self-Study Bible (p. 912): “The destiny of all peoples is involved in what God was doing in and for His people Israel.” Paul makes this point also. Read Romans 15: 8–9. When did Christ become a servant of the Jews to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs Matthew 15:24; Romans 3:1–2, 21–26; Galatians 3:6–9)? What blessings do we who are Gentiles have as a result of God keeping His promises to the Jewish patriarchs? Why, then, does the psalmist call on all nations and all peoples to praise the Lord? Sing “Lord, Now Let Your Servant Depart in Peace” (LW 11) as your own song of praise for your salvation in Christ Jesus.
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