Lessons

The Good News is Better than You Think!

Psalm 59

We are all familiar with so many of David's psalms wherein he moans about the things he is going through and expresses despair and near hopelessness. This psalm could easily have been like one of these. But Psalm 59 has a different tone. Even though David has plenty of reason to be distressed - Saul's minions had surrounded his house to kill him, after all - David seems to have a deep sense of calm and assurance. Though the context of this psalm is tragic, David exudes peace. This psalm is quite beautiful and expresses a deep stillness in the eye of the storm.

Bricks and Stones

Nathan Hockly & Farm Tour

Joshua Barry

Tony Sears

Psalm 58

Psalm 58 is a unique psalm which I call Song of the Sociopath. It describes the intractability of certain souls who resist the righteous path and are bent on persecuting the innocent. Such a person was King Saul's counselor, Abner, who, traditions teaches, was the inspiration for this psalm. (Read 1Samuel 26.) On a different note, this psalm is one of the most difficult to translate. Hence, I present here three translations: The English Standard Version, the Robert Alter translation, and the Artscroll Publishers translation. We should not be surprised that grappling this psalm is as difficult as understanding the twisted mind of the sociopath.

Psalm 57

This is the sixth psalm (in a series of nine) where David prays for deliverance. But in this psalm, David does something completely different. Can you discover what it is? We also learn something fascinating about the Hebrew word for "dawn". We will learn about these and many other valuable insights in this short but powerful psalm.

Birds of Pray

Psalm 56

Psalm 56 begins a series of five psalms called "Michtams". It is uncertain what this term means, but it is somehow related to fine gold, thus making these "golden" psalms, or maybe David's favorite psalms. Psalm 56 is also the second psalm inspired by the time David disguised his sanity while behind enemy lines. (See also Psalm 34.) In this psalm David expresses his loneliness while under persecution. He set this psalm to a tune called "The Mute Dove of Distant Places". But, as David's powerful psalms often do, this one ends on a high note of hope in God.

Psalm 55

Psalm 54

This short psalm describes David's betrayal by the Ziphites - a mob of fellow Judeans - men who should have been loyal to their brother, David. Verses 1-3 are David's prayer for help; verses 4-7 are David's words of praise and commitment to God. A short, powerful psalm that teaches us to never give up hope even when there is not hope!

Fingernails & Diamonds

What Kind of Fruit Are You?

Psalm 53

In Psalm 52 we discussed the wicked and villainous Doeg. But in this plans we ask the question, what makes a wicked person "tick"? What makes a villain a villain? But David, too, had committed the horrible sins of adultery and murder, and yet he is considered a righteous king - a prefiguring of King Messiah Himself. So, what is the difference between Doeg and David? Psalm 53 is almost identical to Psalm 14, but with some profound difference which provide some valuable insights into this question.

Psalm 52

Psalms 51 and 52 form a pair. Both psalms resulted from a rather involved background story involving terrible sins, but the two sinners could not have been more different! David was the sinner in Psalm 51, and Doeg was the sinner in Psalm 52. How are they alike? And how are they profoundly different? What was it about Doeg that makes him one of the most despised and reviled characters in the entire Bible?

Our Three Most Important Relationships

Part 5 – Additional Insights

This additional episode to the four-part series Body-Soul-Spirit gathers some additional scriptural insights into this important topic. Here we will discuss the process of salvation - past, present & future - and how it corresponds to the spirit, soul and body. We will also look again at the two Hebrew words for 'soul' and what they reveal about our identity. How do our physical appetites affect our ability to grasp spiritual truths? We address these and other questions in this fascinating episode.

Psalm 51

Psalm 51 is sometimes called The Chapter of Repentance. David composed this psalm when the prophet Nathan rebuked him regarding his sins against Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. As tragic as David's sin was, it did result in a psalm that provides a path to proper repentance. In this study we will answer the question: is all sin the same? Why did David say that his sin was against God alone? What good did David hope would result from this dark chapter in his life? What part of this psalm has become of the daily prayer liturgy?

Psalm 50

Asaph was the second most prolific psalmist, coming second only behind David. Psalm 50 is the first of the twelve psalms of Asaph, but why is it separated from the other eleven? Those are grouped together as Psalms 73-83. Why did the arrangers of the book of Psalms place this psalm of Asaph right here between Psalms 49 and 51? Join us as we look into Asaph's profound words about God's judgment of His people and the two kinds of sins each of us is prone to fall into.

How Does God Destroy His Enemies?

Soul Clutter

Psalm 49

This final psalm of the Sons of Korach is one of the most difficult to translate. It is traditionally believed to describe Korach's wealth, which led to his eventual rebellion and downfall. The authors refer to this psalm as a 'proverb' and a 'riddle', but one truth comes shining through: wealth is a great hindrance to serving God fully from the heart.

Interview w/Avery, Ethan & Charlotte Smith

Pirkei Avot (Part 2)

Psalm 48

Psalm 48 is a love song for Jerusalem and is part of the daily prayers for the second day of the week - Monday. Why was this psalm about Jerusalem chosen to be read on the second day of the week, a day know as "division day" - the only day of creation when God did not say "it is good"? Also, how did Jerusalem get its name? We address these and others questions that arise from a close reading of this beautiful and well known psalm.

Pirkei Avot (Part 1)

Psalm 47

Have you ever thought about why we clap our hands? Why is smacking one open hand against the other such an instinctual thing in human beings? There is actually a very spiritual reason for this universal behavior. As we dive into Psalm 47, we will answer this question and look into the kind of people who will join themselves to "the God of Abraham" in the end times. Join us for a fascinating study of this short but powerful psalm.

The Foolishness of God

Steve Meeks

Psalm 46

Do you sometimes feel like this world is being shaken to pieces? Do the institutions and values that were always so stable and dependable seem like they are falling into ruins? If so, this is a psalm that will provide great comfort. This psalm actually counsels us to relax as God has everything covered. There is no need for us to start worrying until God does. (And that just isn't going to happen!)

The Half Shekel

The Four Questions

Psalm 45

Psalm 45 is the only love song in the entire book of Psalms. It is the Messiah's wedding song. The first half describes the King and His attributes. The second half describes the Queen and her beauty. Join us for a preview of the goal of creation, the ultimate fulfillment of end-times prophecy, and God's purpose for mankind as we explore this glorious and beautiful psalm.

Psalm 44

Psalm 44 is unusual. Though it resembles other psalms that decry Israel's suffering and persecution from the nations, this psalm has a completely different twist to it. Whereas other psalms attribute God's anger to human failure, this one is just the opposite. Why does God's punishment befall us when we have not sinned nor broken His covenant? In fact, why do the past and the future appeal to us while the present seems so miserable? The Apostle Paul provides valuable insight into this psalm, so In this study we place Psalm 44 and Romans 8 side by side to produce a beautiful insight into why the present seems so difficult.