Today's Bible Study Lesson
“Praise God for Justice and Righteousness”
Aim: Contrast
God’s
justice
with humanity’s injustices;
Value
how
God listens
and responds to our needs,
and Practice
God’s
justice in difficult situations.
Background:
Psalm 9
Bible Lesson:
Psalm 9:1-12
Memory
Verse:
“And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he
shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” Psalm
9:8 KJV
Some
Highlights:
-
Psalm
9 is attributed to King David and along
with Psalm 10 was considered one song, a single acrostic poem using
every letter of
the
Hebrew alphabet, which was believed to aid memorization. These two
Psalms express numerous
highs
and lows of David’s position of trust in God’s ability to
execute power and justice. Many of David’s psalms reflect
particular events of King David’s life, but this does
not. Many
of the psalms were sung. This
one was sung to the tune of “Death of the Son” which must have
been a familiar tune at the time the this
psalm
was
written.
-
Psalm
9 opens with David expressing his complete and wholehearted
appreciation and praise to God. He
commits
to publish the
works of the Lord to
all who will hear. David’s
experiences with God included
a
wide range
of
Blessings,
for
example, ability
kill bears and lions while protecting his family’s
sheep, being selected by God to be King of Israel, being victorious
over many foes as a warrior, being protected
from both King Saul and his own son, Absalom, who sought to take his
life and receiving forgiveness from God for the sins of adultery and
murder. With
all this it was said of David: “And
when he had removed him [King Saul], he raised up unto them David to
be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have
found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which
shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22 KJV
-
The
Lord’s favor toward David brought joy to his heart and prompted
him to sing praises to the Name of the Most High God for His many
marvelous
works.
-
David
faced many enemies and found himself in some very dangerous
situations, but God fought his battles and brought about ultimate
victory. His enemies died and David was left to face other
opponents.
-
David
recognized that God ruled from on high and there is
no one greater than God! God is
not only able, but He
defeated
the wicked and wiped even the
knowledge
of their existence from the pages of history. God
wrought
Divine victories over individuals as well as nations for
King David.
David’s enemies were temporary obstacles and momentary
troubles.
-
In
contrast to temporary enemies and troubles, David bravely stated
that God was eternal and rendered true judgement from on High. David
believed and trusted that God would judge the entire world with
justice and fairness, not like
humankind
who doesn’t
always execute
judgement with justice and fairness.
-
David
declared the Lord to be a shelter in the time of trouble. The all
powerful Lord is the only reliable refuge when trouble is at hand.
He is faithful to uphold and to defend the oppressed, ones of low
estate, and those that
are marginalized.
For this refuge to
be available,
one must trust in the
Lord
and seek His assistance. Many times friends and sometimes even
family will abandon you
in your time of need; however, the Lord is true to His Word and
will
never forsake you.
-
David
closes our study with singing praises to the Lord who reigns in
Jerusalem, which represented the Religious center of the Jewish
nation and he
vows
to never forget to broadcast
the marvelous deeds of Our Lord! David
further assures the helpless that their crises from suffering will
not go unheard and that God is responsible for vengeance which
is His.
Take
Aways:
-
When
we look back over our lives, we see enumerable reasons to praise God
for His faithfulness and loving kindness extended to us even though
we did not deserve it.
-
The
Lord is truly our Shelter and Refuge in the time of trouble and
difficulties.
-
The
Lord knows our heart’s desires
and
motives and if we are His, He loves and cares for us
unconditionally.
Our reasonable response
of appreciation is to seek
His Will, be obedient, and give Him praise for He is truly
Praiseworthy!
Bible
Verses to Keep in Mind:
“If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our]
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John
1:9 KJV
“God
[is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm
46:1 KJV
“For
his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping
may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.” Psalm
30:5 KJV
“And
Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the
salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the
Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more
for ever.” Exodus
14:13 KJV
“Dearly
beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath:
for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the
Lord.” Romans
12:19 KJV
“And
he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and
thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid
nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is]
not yours, but God's.” 2 Chronicles
20:15 KJV
“Praise
ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his
mercy [endureth] for ever.” Psalm
106:1 KJV
“Let
every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
Psalm
150:6 KJV
“From
the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name
[is] to be praised.” Psalm
113:3 KJV
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