Chronological Bible Study – May 14
What I Noticed Today (Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122)
Psalm 32
Psalm 32 likely follows Psalm 51. In Psalm 51, David had been confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding David’s sin with Bathsheba. Psalm 32 is focused on the Lord’s forgiveness of David’s sins. David sees himself as blessed because after he had repented, the Lord had forgiven him (vv. 1-2). However, while he was unrepentant, his sin weighed heavily on him, causing him to waste away (vv. 3-5).
Because the Lord had forgiven him, David encouraged others to confess their sins, be repentant, and submit to the Lord because the Lord protects those who trust in Him (vv. 6-11).
Psalm 51
Psalm 51 was a prayer for forgiveness of sins when Nathan, the prophet, confronted David for the sin of taking Bathsheba, another man’s wife. Remember, though, this confession of sin took place about a year after David took Bathsheba.
In verses 1-2, David appeals to God for love and compassion and his grace to forgive his sins.
In verses 3-6, David confessed his sins and acknowledged that he was born in sin.
In verses 7-12, David petitioned God for forgiveness, to cleanse and renew his heart, to not remove the Lord’s spirit from him, and to restore the joy of his salvation.
In verses 13-17, David promised to teach other transgressors about God’s ways, to sing God’s praises, and to bring sacrifices to God with a broken and contrite heart.
In verses 18-19, David prays that God will continue to build up Jerusalem as the people bring righteous sacrifices to God.
Psalm 86
Psalm 86 is David’s prayer to God that He would give him the strength to face the people who hate him. David uses the word Lord (ʾăd̠ōnay) stressing God’s lordship and sovereignty seven times in this one Psalm (Ps 86:3-5, 8-9, 12, 15).
In verses 1-5, David prayed that God would hear his prayer and have mercy on him because of his poor condition.
In verses 6-13, David repeats his plea to the Lord to hear him and answer him as he expressed his faith in God. He alone is God.
In verses 14-17, David prays for strength because insolent, ruthless men have risen up against him. He also asked that others would see God working in David’s life and realize it was God who delivered him.
Psalm 122
Psalm 122 is a psalm of David calling on everyone to pray for peace.
In verses 1-2, David says he is delighted to go to Jerusalem.
In verses 3-5, David speaks of Jerusalem as the spiritual center of Israel.
In verses 6-9, David asks the people to pray for peace for the sake of the people as well as for the sake of the city itself.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.