June 13, 2025
The sinful ways of others can seem fun, but they lead to trouble.
Psalm 70-73
Bethany Moss
Big Book Idea
Worship is our response to God for who He is and what He has done!
Key Verse | Psalm 73:2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had nearly slipped.
Psalm 70-73
Chapter 70
O LORD, Do Not Delay
To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering.
1
Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
2
Let them be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
3
Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, “Aha, Aha!”
4
May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
5
But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay!
Chapter 71
Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent
1
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
2
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!
3
Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6
Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.
7
I have been as a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
8
My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day.
9
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10
For my enemies speak concerning me;
those who watch for my life consult together
11
and say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue and seize him,
for there is none to deliver him.”
12
O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
13
May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek my hurt.
14
But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
15
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
16
With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17
O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
19
Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?
20
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
21
You will increase my greatness
and comfort me again.
22
I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
23
My lips will shout for joy,
when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24
And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
who sought to do me hurt.
Chapter 72
Give the King Your Justice
Of Solomon.
1
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness!
4
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
5
May they fear you
1
72:5
Septuagint He shall endure
while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
7
In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River
2
72:8
That is, the Euphrates
to the ends of the earth!
9
May desert tribes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust!
10
May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts!
11
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!
12
For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
13
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14
From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
15
Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field!
17
May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
18
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
20
The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Book Three
Chapter 73
God Is My Strength and Portion Forever
A Psalm of Asaph.
1
Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had nearly slipped.
3
For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4
For they have no pangs until death;
their bodies are fat and sleek.
5
They are not in trouble as others are;
they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
6
Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them as a garment.
7
Their eyes swell out through fatness;
their hearts overflow with follies.
8
They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
9
They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth.
10
Therefore his people turn back to them,
and find no fault in them.
3
73:10
Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them
11
And they say, “How can God know?
Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12
Behold, these are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
13
All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.
14
For all the day long I have been stricken
and rebuked every morning.
15
If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16
But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task,
17
until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I discerned their end.
18
Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin.
19
How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors!
20
Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
21
When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart,
22
I was brutish and ignorant;
I was like a beast toward you.
23
Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength
4
73:26
Hebrew rock
of my heart and my portion forever.
27
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
Table of Contents
Introduction to The Psalms
Timeline
Author and Date
Individual psalms come from diverse periods of Israel’s history, but at every stage they served as the songbook of God’s people. David wrote about half of the Psalms. His role as king was more than that of a ruler. He was to represent and even embody the people, and their well-being was tied to his faithfulness. David, then, writes as a representative, and the readers must discern whether the emphasis of a psalm is more on his role as ruler or more on his role as ideal Israelite, in which he is an example for all. The historical occasions mentioned in the psalm titles help the reader see how faith applies to real-life situations.
Key Themes
The Psalter is fundamentally the hymnbook of God’s people. It takes the basic themes of OT theology and turns them into song:
- Monotheism. The one God, Maker and Ruler of all, will vindicate his goodness and justice in his own time. Everyone must know and love this God, whose purity, power, wisdom, faithfulness, and unceasing love are breathtakingly beautiful.
- Creation and fall. Though God made man with dignity and purpose, all people since the fall are beset with sins and weaknesses that only God’s grace can heal.
- Election and covenant. The one true God chose a people for himself and bound himself to them by his covenant. This covenant expressed God’s intention to save his people, and through them to bring light to the world.
- Covenant membership. In his covenant, God offers grace to his people: forgiveness of their sins, the shaping of their lives to reflect his own glory, and a part to play as light to the Gentiles. Each member of God’s people is responsible to believe God’s promises and to grow in obeying his commands. Those who do this enjoy the full benefits of God’s love and find delight in knowing him. The well-being of God’s people as a whole affects the well-being of each member. Each one shares the joys and sorrows of the others. When believers suffer, they should not seek revenge but should pray. They can be confident that God will make all things right in his own time.
- Eschatology. The story of God’s people is headed toward a glorious future, in which all kinds of people will come to know the Lord. The personal faithfulness of God’s people contributes to his ultimate purpose. The Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, will lead his people in the great task of bringing light to the Gentiles.
Types of Psalms
The Psalms can be identified according to some basic categories:
Laments, which lay a troubled situation before the Lord, asking him for help. There are community (Psalm 12) and individual (Psalm 13) laments. This category is the largest by far, including up to a third of all Psalms.
Hymns of praise, which call God’s people to admire his great attributes and deeds. Examples include Psalms 8; 93; and 145.
Hymns of thanksgiving. As with laments, there are community (Psalm 9) and individual (Psalm 30) thanksgiving psalms.
Hymns celebrating God’s law (Psalm 119).
Wisdom psalms (Psalms 1; 37), which reflect themes from the Wisdom Books (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon).
Songs of confidence, which enable worshipers to deepen their trust in God amid difficult circumstances (Psalm 23).
Royal psalms, which present the Davidic monarchy as the vehicle of blessing for God’s people. Some of these are prayers (Psalm 20), some are thanksgivings (Psalm 21). All relate to the Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, either by setting a pattern (Psalms 20–21) or by portraying the king’s reign in such a way that only the Messiah can completely fulfill it (Psalms 2; 72), or by focusing on the future (Psalm 110).
Historical psalms, which take lessons from the history of God’s dealings with his people (Psalm 78).
Prophetic hymns, which echo the Prophets, calling people to covenant faithfulness (Psalm 81).
Structure
The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.
| Book 1 | Psalms 1–41 | Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26. |
| Book 2 | Psalms 42–72 | Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people. |
| Book 3 | Psalms 73–89 | The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88). |
| Book 4 | Psalms 90–106 | Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89. |
| Book 5 | Psalms 107–150 | The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134). |
Fact: What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God?
What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God? The Psalms were the songbook of the people of God when they gathered for worship.
Fact: What is a psalm of lament?
What is a psalm of lament? The main purpose of a psalm of lament is to tell the Lord about a difficult situation, to ask him for his help, and to praise him for helping. Some laments are community, congregational psalms. Others are individual, personal laments. One third of all the Psalms are psalms of lament.
Fact: What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?
What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel? The “enemies” mentioned in the Psalms (e.g., 18:17) were people hostile to the faith of God’s people. Sometimes they expressed their hatred by physically attacking the people of Israel, while other times they merely rejoiced when Israel faced misfortunes.
Fact: Selah
What does Selah mean? Although the word Selah is found 39 times in the book of Psalms, its exact meaning is uncertain. Most scholars believe it is a musical term or a term to be used by a worship leader, possibly to mark a pause.
Fact: Snares
Snares (38:12) were traps used to catch birds and animals. Some snares used ropes or nets that would be triggered as soon as the bait was touched. Pits disguised with sticks and leaves were also used as snares. In the Psalms, snares serve as symbols of danger or death at the hands of the wicked.
Fact: A helpful guide
A helpful guide. The writers of the Psalms understood the importance of constant communication with God. They knew that God would hear their prayers, and they trusted him to act on their behalf. Believers today can benefit greatly by patterning their prayers after specific psalms.
Fact: Fortress
The term fortress (71:3) could describe the city walls of ancient times. These walls, usually stone, included towers at strategic points so that the soldiers could see if anyone was trying to climb the wall. God is the believer’s true fortress, the only real source of protection.
Fact: Hope
Hope means putting one’s full confidence in God, who always keeps his promises. Believers can have hope for the future because of what God has done in the past. Created things will always ultimately disappoint. God alone is the source of true hope.
Structure of Psalms
The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.
| Book 1 | Psalms 1–41 | Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26. |
| Book 2 | Psalms 42–72 | Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people. |
| Book 3 | Psalms 73–89 | The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88). |
| Book 4 | Psalms 90–106 | Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89. |
| Book 5 | Psalms 107–150 | The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134). |
OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)
| Romans 3 | OT Reference |
|---|---|
| Sinful Condition | |
| v. 10, none is righteous | Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20 |
| v. 11a, no one understands | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 11b, no one seeks for God | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one | Ps. 14:3/53:3 |
| Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips) | |
| v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive | Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9) |
| v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips | Ps. 140:3 |
| v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness | Ps. 10:7 |
| Sinful Action | |
| v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood | Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery | Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known | Isa. 59:8 |
| Summary Statement | |
| v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes | Ps. 36:1 |
Ps. 70:1–3 The threat comes from those who seek my life, who delight in my hurt, and who say, “Aha, Aha!” They are eager to hurt the faithful and then rejoice over their defeat. The enemies could be powerful, unfaithful Israelites, or they could be foreigners who seek to make God’s people worship other gods.
Psalm Ps. 70. This short psalm is an individual lament, an urgent prayer for rescue from gloating enemies. The psalm is very similar to 40:14–16. The title specifies the psalm as “for the memorial offering” (see note on Psalm 38).
Ps. 70:4–5 Who seek you contrasts with “who seek my life” (v. 2). Hasten echoes “make haste” (v. 1), while help and deliverer look back to “deliver” and “help” (v. 1).
Ps. 71:1–3 God’s righteousness is his faithfulness to keep his promises. This is the basis for hope (see vv. 15, 16, 19, 24).
Fact: Fortress
The term fortress (71:3) could describe the city walls of ancient times. These walls, usually stone, included towers at strategic points so that the soldiers could see if anyone was trying to climb the wall. God is the believer’s true fortress, the only real source of protection.
Ps. 71:5–6 from my youth . . . from before my birth . . . from my mother’s womb. The Israelites came into the world as members of Abraham’s family, the recipients of God’s promises. These believers learn to trace God’s work in their lives back to before they were even born.
Ps. 71:9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age. The benefits of the covenant are not automatic. They are for those who are faithful to its conditions.
Ps. 71:14–16 The singer promises to hope continually. He leaves to God the timing of the answer to his appeals for help (vv. 12–13). He also looks forward to sharing his story of God’s righteous acts with his fellow worshipers.
Ps. 71:18 The singer asks God to make his life long. He wants to live to proclaim your might to another generation.
Psalm Ps. 71. This is another individual lament, suited to a faithful person in danger from enemies who take advantage of any weakness or distress (vv. 9–11). These enemies could be foreign or Israelite.
Ps. 71:22–24 The singer looks forward to joyful songs in worship. He expects to talk of God’s righteous help all the day long (wherever he is).
Ps. 72:1–4 justice, righteousness, judge. The ideal Davidic king must provide justice for all Israelites. He also must be an example for the people in his faithfulness to God. The psalm begins, then, with a prayer for the character and rule of the Davidic king, knowing that God must give him righteousness and justice to rule (judge).
Ps. 72:5–7 while the sun endures, till the moon be no more (that is, always). This span of time suggests that this psalm ultimately refers to the Messiah. May they fear you. “They” may be God’s people (vv. 1–4), or people in general (vv. 8–11). In either case, the heir of David serves as God’s representative to the people, and is to be honored and obeyed.
Ps. 72:8 See Zech. 9:10.
Ps. 72:8–11 By submitting to the Davidic king, the Gentile kings bring themselves and their peoples under God’s own rule (see note on 2:12).
Ps. 72:12–14 These verses emphasize the needy, the poor, and the weak (see vv. 2–4). These are the people most easily subjected to oppression and violence by those in power. precious is their blood in his sight. The Davidic king will not allow the powerful to harm the defenseless.
Ps. 72:17 be blessed in him, all nations. This closely follows Gen. 22:18, speaking of the Messiah (see note on Gen. 22:15–18).
Psalm Ps. 72. The last psalm of Book 2 is a royal psalm. It is a prayer that David’s heirs might be faithful kings. That means ruling God’s people well, protecting the poor and needy, and bringing blessing to all nations of the earth. Like Psalm 2, this song looks forward to a worldwide rule that embraces in full what the Messiah will accomplish. The OT anticipates the ultimate heir of David, who will take the throne and bring God’s light to all nations (see Isa. 2:1–5; 11:1–10).
Ps. 72:18–20 may the whole earth be filled with his glory. That is, may the whole earth be the sanctuary where God makes his presence known (see note on Isa. 6:3).
Ps. 73:1–3 God is good to Israel, but there seem to be arrogant people who enjoy prosperity.
Ps. 73:4–12 This section describes the apparently carefree lives of the arrogant wicked of v. 3. Verse 12 summarizes the whole section.
Ps. 73:13–15 All in vain have I kept my heart clean. The singer feels that it has been worthless to practice faithfulness. The faithful are stricken, all the day long, in contrast to the arrogant, who “are not stricken like the rest of mankind” (v. 5). The singer recognizes, however, that to put his bitter feelings into words would have betrayed the generation of your children, that is, would undermine others’ faith.
Ps. 73:16–17 The inner conflict is made worse by how wearisome it is to understand this: it seems impossible. But when the singer goes into the sanctuary of God, where God’s people gather for worship, he finally sees the truth.
Ps. 73:18–20 Here is “their end” (v. 17): God has set the arrogant in slippery places, so that they are destroyed in a moment. This likely refers to death.
Psalm Ps. 73. This is a wisdom psalm. God’s people should trust him even when it seems unbelievers do not suffer because of their sin. They should remember the contrasting outcomes of the lives of the arrogant and the faithful. The singer realized this while he was in the sanctuary of God, namely, at public worship. Psalm 73 is a companion to Psalm 49.
Ps. 73:21–28 Even when the singer harbored his bitter thoughts, God still had a firm hold on him: I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. During the singer’s earthly life, you guide me with your counsel (that is, with instruction from God’s Word), and afterward (that is, after the singer dies) you will receive me to glory. Thus the godly can be satisfied, because God is the strength of their heart and their portion forever.
What can we learn from the imagery in Psalm 72?
Listen NowDive Deeper | Psalm 70-73
It only takes about 15 seconds of scrolling through social media to see the injustices, conflicts, and drama in our world. On top of that, ads for products, experiences, and lifestyles make their way to our eyes daily and show us what we're missing out on. This can quickly foster thoughts and feelings of comparison, resentment, and selfishness.
While the psalmists of today's passages didn't have to scroll through social media every day, they were exposed to apparent unfairness and injustice, and they wrestled with comparison and envy: "For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." (Psalm 73:3) I admire this level of honesty. Who wants to admit they envy someone? It takes laying down one's own pride, but also an awareness of one's security and identity in the Lord. The psalmist is able to admit that his feet had almost stumbled, and his steps had nearly slipped. So, how did the psalmist keep from stumbling?
He models for us that confession and worship are our response when we notice that our heart gets pinged with envy or comparison. The psalmist details to God what he observes about the ungodly, then admits he gets nowhere when trying to make sense of it on his own: "But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God . . . ." (Psalm 73:16-17a).
There are several pieces of evidence in our passages today that remind us of God's character, showing us that His way is best, and He can be trusted. God is our helper and deliverer (Psalm 70:5b), He "will revive [us] again" after many troubles (Psalm 71:20), and He holds our right hand and guides us with His counsel (Psalm 73:23-24).
Let's choose to remember and worship the Lord for who He is and how He loves us, no matter who seems to prosper. Never forget God's ultimate provision for us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, allowing us personal, continual access to His heart as we navigate through life, no matter the circumstances (see Hebrews 4).
This month's memory verse
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
– Psalm 119:9-11
Discussion Questions
1. What typically causes envy to arise in your heart? Material possessions (me!), others' success and accolades, relational belonging, etc.?
2. What characteristic of God brings peace and comfort to your heart?
3. In what ways has God provided for you lately?
4. What can you be grateful for and worship God for today?