Notice how often the struggles put forth in Psalms are like the struggles we encounter in our daily lives. Often we think that the notable godly people of the Bible did not experience the common stresses that we experiencefear of enemies, the dread of uncertainty, unpopularity because we trust God, the inability to sleep, temptation created by danger, the need for reassurance, the up and down roller coaster ride that went from confidence to concern, etc. The Psalmists should assure us that righteousness does NOT lie in a steady confidence in God that knows NO moments of struggle. A renewing of focus as the godly person faces life is a continual need.
Stress that the daily existence of the righteous person always has faced opposition and struggle. Being a righteous person has never been simple. No one is righteous because righteous behavior is the most convenient behavior!
Though the headings to the Psalms are not inspired, they reflect ancient conclusions or instructions. Commonly, the psalms were ancient Hebrew poetry set to music. Many of them were used in Israelite worship, and many of them were used for personal encouragement, much as Christians use their spiritual songs today.
Stress the psalms were Hebrew poetry set to music to be used in temple worship and for personal encouragement.
A study of the Book of Psalms is a complex study. There is little agreement on the major issueswhen were they written, why were they written, what was their purpose, who were the authors, how should they be divided, what purposes did they serve, why were they collected into single book? Anthony L. Ash in the commentary he and Clyde M. Miller produced on Psalms (The Living Word Commentary, Volume 10, Sweet Publishing Company: Austin, Texas, Introduction, p. 30) wrote,
"They are statements of faith, produced under Gods guidance . The prime concern, then and now, is the individuals confrontation with God."
A person studies the psalms to understand how to advance relationship with God, not to try to definitively answer all the technical questions.
You are asked to read Psalm 3 and Psalm 4. The headings suggest these psalms were often used to begin the day and to end the day. Some say this is a king facing his day, and some say this is an individual facing his day. Both psalms reveal that life was tough and uncertain. Trusting God was not a simple challenge! Such trust was not a natural, without a second thought happening, but a determined and essential happening. The problems that confront us can consume our attention! Without such trust in God, life was a journey from despair to despair. Such trust did not exist because it was easy, but because it was essential. The comfort and reassurance was the writers knowledge that he could depend on God.
Stress the fact that these psalms do not attempt to hide the truth that life involved struggle and uncertainty. Focusing on God was essential but not easy.
In Psalm 3, things have not improved during the night. Those who were adversaries have increasedthe situation is worse! Many opposed him in their desire to destroy him. They were certain God is NOT his ally, and he was foolish to place his trust in God.
Stress the fact that things getting better did NOT mean that the enemies just disappeared.
However, he knew betterGod was his ally! God protected him from his enemies attacks. Though he cried, God supported him. He was so assured that God was with him, he could sleep. God so sustained him that he did not fear his enemies.
Stress there is a difference in confidence produced by what one feels (based on emotion) and what one knows (based on understanding or past experience). Peace was produced by what he knew, not what he felt.
As a result, he knew God would continue with him. His enemies had no chance! God would attack them and deliver him! He would not be delivered because he was so clever, but because God was his ally. It was not only he who would be blessed, but God would deliver all His people.
Again, his relationship with God delivered him, not his emotions.
In Psalm 4, the writer petitioned God to hear and answer his call. Then, to his enemies, he asked why did they persist in making him miserable? Since God was his ally, there was no way that he would lose.
The writer knew he was a winner because of his relationship with God.
He reminded himself that it was okay for him to fear his enemies as long as he did not allow his fear to cause him to abandon God. Fear must not be allowed to turn into temptation, and temptation into sin. What he needed to do was to focus on God, not his enemies. The power lay in meditating on God, not in conceiving his own strategies for deliverance. He needed to focus on behaving like a godly person.
Fear is not spiritually destructive unless it leads to sin.
God was the answer! God was the lighted path through the mess he faced! God could touch him with a gladness that good food and new wine could NOT compete with! The key to safety day or night was God! Only God could allow him to live in safety.
The challenge in stressful times is understanding that God is the answer. The answer is not me having things arranged as I want.
In the two psalms, note the roles in which God served. God was a shield (3:3). He was the sustainer (3:3, 4). He gave peace and comfort (3:5, 6). He was the protector who delivered (3:7, 8). He answered (4:1, 3). He was light in darkness (4:6). He gave gladness (4:7). He gave safety (4:8).
Emphasize that the essential question in times of stress is this: What roles do I allow God to have in my life?
Note carefully that the key to a safe existence is dependence on God. It was NOT (and is not) being without enemies. The person with the courage to be godly will have enemies! Those who determinedly refuse to walk with God will not appreciate those who depend on God. Living in safety does not mean that person lives the good life. It means the person depends on God.
Emphasize that living for God in an evil world will result in personal stress. No one can attack evil without angering the forces of evil. Being righteous through relationship with God will irritate evil. Gods help does not mean evil is not irritated.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Often the struggles in the psalms are like what?
They are like the struggles we encounter in our daily lives.
2. The psalms assure us that righteousness does not lie in what?
Righteousness does not lie in a steady confidence in God with no moments of struggle.
3. The headings in the psalms are not what?
The headings in the Book of Psalms are not inspired.
4. The psalms were Hebrew poetry set to music. How were they used?
They were used for worship (temple worship) and personal encouragement.
5. Explain why the Book of Psalms is a complex study.
There is little agreement on major issues.
6. Psalms 3 and 4 reveal what two things about life?
Life was tough and uncertain. Trusting God was not a simple challenge.
7. In Psalm 3 what has not happened? The enemies were certain that what was true?
In Psalm 3, things did not improve during the night. The enemies were certain God was not the writers ally.
8. How assured was the psalmist that God was with him?
He was so assured God was with him that he could go to sleep.
9. In Psalm 4, the writer reminded himself it was okay to do what as long as he did not what?
It was okay to fear his enemies if his fear did not cause him to abandon God.
10. Discuss why God was the answer.
The discussion should include the fact that God could guide him safely through day or night.
11. What roles did God serve in Psalms 3 and 4?
God was a shield, a sustainer, the source of peace and comfort, the protector who delivered, the answerer, the light in darkness, the giver of gladness, and the giver of safety.
12. The key to safe existence is what, not what?
The key to safe existence is God, not being without enemies.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 2