* This magnificent piece of 10th century art is titled, "David Holding Psalms with Proverb and Prophecy". It is part of The Paris Psalter. The Paris Psalter is a copy of the 150 Psalms of David, translated from Hebrew into demotic Greek. The Paris Psalter is a Byzantine illuminated manuscript 38 x 26.5 cm in size, containing 449 folios and 14 full-page miniatures. The Paris Psalter is considered a key monument of the so-called Macedonian Renaissance, a 10th-century renewal of interest in classical art closely identified with the emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (909-959) and his immediate successors.
>1. What does it mean "says in his heart" and what kind of person says this?
* Psalm 14:1-3 "The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one."
* The title of this psalm is "For the director of music. A psalm of David."
* "The fool" -Fool in Hebrew is "nabal" appears in the Bible 18 times. Psalm 14 is not intended as a definition. It meaning "vile person, one who is morally deficient".
* "says in his heart" -This phrase in the original Hebrew is "amar leb". The verb "amar" appears 5,308 times in the Bible is used with great latitude with the general concept of conveying a thought. The noun "leb" appears 593 times. It is used figurative for the feelings, the will, wisdom, and the intellect. It is the core (center) of anything.
* "corrupt... vile... no one does good... turned aside... corrupt... no one who does good..." -An absolute truth obtained from the LORD who "looks down from heaven on the sons of men".
* "sons of men" -"Sons" is "ben" in the original Hebrew and is used for any descendant, male and female though it is more commonly translated into English as males. "Men" in the orginal Hebrew is "adam" the name given to the first male. (Genesis 1-2)
* The Psalm starts by establishing a truth with fact. The truth is that every human soul is morally depraved. With this truth, God says that we are fools. Fool in Hebrew is "nabal" meaning "vile person, one who is morally deficient". The fact to establish the truth that every soul is morally depraved is that we all say in our hearts, "There is no God." (Psalm 10:4, 11; 36:1; 130:3; 143:2; Job 1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20-22; 1 Kings 8:46)
This does not state that we say, "There is no God" with our mouths. This says we say it with our hearts. The fact is that our heart holds the belief that there is no God. The heart motivates the body. So when trouble or good times come our heart motivates us to do things and say things from its core belief that there is no God. This is sin, a morally deficient heart.
Everybody acts from their heart-belief that there is no God. It takes things into our own control. It conducts all kinds of vile acts. It keeps us from doing righteous acts. This is true for everyone including the religious, including the devout.
In everyone's mind comes thoughts from the heart-belief that there is no God. We may repent of such thoughts and actions, but the fact remains that if we had heart-believed that there is a God we would have never had that thought nor the act from the start.
Worse yet is when we realize that we had an ungodly thought and say to ourselves, "That thought didn't come from me. The devil gave me that thought." We do not admit that the thought came from a morally deficient heart-belief. So again we establish that we are a fool who will not accept the fact that we are also among those who are vile.
When the Psalms and other books in the Bible state the truth that there is no one who does good (Psalm 53:1, 3; Romans 3:12), it does not continue with "...except those that read the Bible and are active in their congregation," nor does it continue with "...except those that share the good news," nor does it continue with "...except those that shepherd my people." This is because the LORD God who looks down from heaven to judge the heart of everyone determines there are no one who understands, no one who seeks God and he reveals this truth through his word.
The actions and the thoughts that come from our vile hearts make it clear for everyone to self-see if we are honest with ourselves before God, our true and ultimate judge. The Spirit of God reveals to us our heart-belief that there is no God. It shows us we are the ones that corrupt ourselves.
Is there any hope for anyone? Yes. Only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' blood, God overlooks, forgives, and gets rid of the morally depraved soul that motivates us to be the fool. Salvation for the morally depraved human race rests only in Jesus. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 2 Corinthians 6:2)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 14:1-3.
>2. What rhetorical question does the Lord ask and what does it imply the answer is?
* Psalm 14:4 "Will evildoers never learn-- those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?"
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>3. What promise is given in verses 5-7?
* Psalm 14:5-7 "There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!"
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* Hope exists for everyone. Jesus's ministry included everyone. He helped and taught the rich and the poor, the religious elite and the social outcast, and the intelligent and the simple-minded. However, the evildoers never learned. They devour God's people as men eat bread. Some believe, but most reject.
The Lord Jesus, David's God, was the same past, present, and future. He gave people in David's day a chance too. However, as David saw many still believed that God does not exist (1). Even though they have many chances to repent, they never learn (4). These same people frustrate the plans of the poor.
The poor in this psalm are those who learned and repented. They believe in God. Thus, in God they are righteous. The fools who say there is no God are out to devour them (4). The righteous are at times poor and the fools frustrate their plans (6). However, God is always present in the company of the righteous (5). The LORD is their refuge (6).
As David, I hope and pray that the salvation of Israel found in Jesus the Messiah would come to all (7). David looked to the future for the Messiah. The Messiah came and he will come again. I too look to the future for the Messiah when the LORD will restore the fortunes of his people. Hope exists for everyone. For the atheists when they repent. And for the oppressed righteous when Jesus comes again and restores their fortunes.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 14:4-7.
II. He Who Does These Things Will Never be Shaken (15:1-5)
* David playing a harp with one hand and a scroll in the other. The artist signature is in the bottom right. This is now in publis domain.
>4. What who questions does David ask and why might he ask these questions? (1)
* Psalm 15:1 "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?"
* The title of this psalm is "A psalm of David."
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>5. What are the first two answers David presents to his own questions?
* Psalm 15:2 "He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart"
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>What are the second two answers and what does this reveal about David who always is praying for deliverance from his enemies?
* Psalm 15:3 "and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,"
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>6. What does it mean to despises a vile man? What oath are the hardest to keep and why is it important to keep them?
* Psalm 15:4 "who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,"
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* Everyone wants access to God though our core being is also repulsed by the nature of God (Romans 1). The essence of this psalm, composed by David, is how one gains access to God. Access to God is of course granted by God. Without permission, a person may not enter the King of kings presence. David is considering who the King of kings wants in his presence. What quality must he and everyone else have to be given permission to enter and remain in God's sanctuary?
God established through Moses hundreds of years before David the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 28:43, 29:4, 30, 42). Exodus 25:8-9 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you." Only Aaron and his descendants could enter the Tent of Meeting at designated times. Exodus 30:20-21 states, "Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made to the LORD by fire, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come." If a person were to not be presentable when they entered the Tent of Meeting they would die.
David wanted to dwell with God in his Tabernacle even though he was not a descendant of Aaron. He was wondering how this might be possible. He wanted to be God's guest.
God is holy, holy, holy. David accepted that only the blameless can be in God's presence. A blameless person is guilt-free. David states items beyond the basic tenets of the covenantal law (Exodus 20:1-17). He concludes moral righteousness gives access to God. He was correct for Jesus commanded, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) How can the sinful be perfect? Only by grace through faith in Jesus. Jesus also said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 15.
>What other two hard life practices does David remind himself to keep? (5)
* Psalm 15:5 "who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken."
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>What makes the statement, "He who does these things will never be shaken." possible in light of all these requirements David reminded himself of?
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III. Keep Me Safe (16:1-11)
* David is illustrated as praising the Lord his God from his rooftop as two servants watch. Psalm 16:6 is states.
>7. What is the basis of this psalm?
* Psalm 16:1 "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge."
* The title of this psalm is "A miktam of David." The term "mikram" remains unexplained, though it always stands in the superscription of Davidic prayers occasioned by great danger (Psalms 56-60).
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>What was the Lord to David? Why might he need to remember this?
* Psalm 16:2 "I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
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>8. Contemplate the meaning of the alternate English translation of verse 3 in the NIV with the statement of verse 4.
* Psalm 16:3 "As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight."
* NIV Study Bible Note: "or 'As for the pagan priests who are in the land / and the nobles in whom all delight, I said:'"
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>What temptation does God's people sometimes struggle with when they see faulty faith and their riches? What has David resolved to do?
* Psalm 16:4 "The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips."
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* David is the author of this Trust Psalm. He asks God to keep him safe. Why? Because David takes refuge in God. God is his protector and shelter from danger and hardship. He rescues him from death and gives him a delightful inheritance. God is his inheritance. (Numbers 18:20-24; Deuteronomy 10:8-9)
God in verse 1 is the Hebrew noun "El" the root word for God also used in Genesis 1:1 portraying God's power, majesty, and prestige. The first LORD in verse 2 is the Hebrew word "YHWH" the covenant name of God given to Moses at the burning bush. The second Lord in verse 2 is the Hebrew word "Adonay" meaning "Sovereign" an affectionate name for God his Master. God inspired David to use three names of God because this psalm is also a Prophesy Psalm. Apostle Peter quoted part of this Psalm during the first Pentecost (Acts 2:27) and Apostle Paul also quoted this when the Roman soldiers rescued him from almost being killed at the temple (Acts 13:35). The Holy Spirit inspired them to see that God was referring to Jesus' resurrection from death.
Jesus is my refuge. He saves from the grave. He gives me an inheritance. Jesus is my inheritance. As Jesus rose from the grave so will I. I take refuge in Jesus. Those who run after other gods will forever reap sorrow. I will forever reap the joy of my Lord and my God, El YHWH Adonay.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 16:1-4.
>9. Considering David's decision stated in verses 3-4, what did he come to know? Why might David be thinking about a pleasant home and future?
* Psalm 16:5-6 "LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."
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> Considering David's decision stated in verses 3-4, what did he come to know? Why might David be thinking about a pleasant home and future?
* Psalm 16:7 "I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me."
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* David, the youngest of many brothers and perhaps the only son of his father's second wife (or concubine), had an ongoing life problem. He pondered his unsure future and where he belonged. His inheritance according to the law of Moses was questionable. His seven elder brothers did not think well of him. They gave him the most unwanted job tending sheep and often mocked him. (1 Samuel 16:10-11, 18-20; 17:28) This concern was perhaps one of the reasons he had to conquer the city of Jerusalem (Jebus). He needed a home for himself and the men who served under him.
David's search for a place that was his own ceased to burden because of his personal relationship with and faith in the LORD. He believed that the LORD had assigned him a portion. In the Lord Jesus, his lot was secure (5). He believed he had a delightful inheritance and it wasn't just Jerusalem on earth. It was the New Jerusalem.
In Jesus, David was happy and praised God because God counseled him. Instead of troubled nights of worry, concern, and loneliness, David was counseled by the Lord in his heart. All have reason to be concerned about the future. The Messiah Jesus is the cure to an unsure future.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 16:5-7.
>10. What does it mean the LORD is "at my right hand"? What was revealed to the Apostle Peter about verses 8-11? (Acts 2:25-33)
* Psalm 16:8 "I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
* Acts 2:25-33 "David said about him: "'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear."
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>Did David believe in the resurrection of the dead? (73:26) Who is the Holy One and how long would it be from the time he died to the time he rose from death? (John 10-25, 32-39; Acts 13:35-37)
* Psalm 16:9-10 "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay."
* Acts 13:35-37 "So it is stated elsewhere: "'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay."
* Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
* John 10:22-25, 32-39 "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,
23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.
24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me...
32 but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?
35 If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came--and the Scripture cannot be broken--
36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?
37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.
38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp."
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>What is the "path of life" revealed to David? (John 11:25-26)
* Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
* John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?'"
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* Jesus is the path of life that God made known to David (11). Jesus is life, in him is no death. Jesus told confused Martha and Mary just before he raised their brother Lazarus from the dead, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
David knew and believed. Jesus was David's Holy One who would not see decay. Apostles Peter and Paul quoted these verses stating that David prophesied about Jesus' resurrection from the dead.
David also knew that he would not be abandoned to the grave. As the Lord his God was with him in life, he would be with him when the body and heart fail. (73:26) David was not shaken. He believed.
The fact that there is a resurrection from the dead and this resurrection is where those who believe in Jesus will be filled with joy in his presence and with eternal pleasures made David glad and his tongue rejoiced. Today I may have trouble, but I can be glad and rejoice because Jesus has overcome the world. Let my tongue sing praises and tell others this good news.
