Praying through the Psalms Week 4 (16-20)

Psalm 16

Truth #1: I have no good apart from the Lord. I need him for everything in my life.

Truth #2: Jesus is the one who was not abandoned to Sheol, nor did his body see corruption.

Psalm 17

Truth #1: The Lord tries and tests our hearts and transforms them to do and see good things (vs 3-4).

Truth #2: The Lord protects us from our enemies and defends us against them (vs 10-14)

Observations:

The enemies of God’s people are focused on “worldly things”. But God still blesses them with those things (Womb filled with treasure, satisfied with children, leave an abundance)?

The Psalmist, or the people of God, are instead focused and satisfied with beholding the face of God and his likeness.

Do we do this with Jesus, the face of God?

Psalm 19

Truth #1: All of creation declares the glory of God.

Truth #2: The Law of God (Law of Christ?) is good and to be desired. It keeps us from sin and follows it gives great reward.

Observations:

Verses 12-13 show how a humble heart cares even about being innocent of ‘hidden faults’ and ‘presumptuous sins’. These little sins ultimately lead to big sins, so being innocent of one will prevent being guilty of the other.

What can God’s law teach me about my presumptuous sins?

Psalm 20

Truth #1: Jesus is the anointed one that the Lord saves (vs 6), and by extension this applies to the church.

Truth #2: It is better to trust in the name of the Lord than in earthly safety nets (modern day chariots and horses might be guns and weapons).

Observations:

How do we reckon “May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans” with other Scriptures that say the heart of man is evil?

Jesus is the ultimate fulfilment of the king in this Psalm.

I read a conversation with Brother Lawrence from “Practice in the Presence of God” and the Chalcedon Definition.